Empty & Weak Sentence Openers

When revising for order, check for weak sentence openers that fill two of the three points of emphasis in a sentence with words carrying no content (i.e., It is... that and There is... that). Revising a sentence with an empty opener is often as simple as eliminating a few unnecessary words. The following diagram illustrates the pattern for empty openers.



 
Some Pointers
  1. Avoid replacing the empty opener with the word exists:

    • Original: There is an obvious way to handle the problem.

    • Revised: An obvious way exists to handle the problem.

  2. Be careful to not change or distort the meaning:

    • Revised: Handling the problem is obvious.

  3. Remember to remove that or which if used:

    • Original: There are ten activities that are affected by the change.

    • Revised: Ten activities that are affected by the change.

  4. Don't change it is when it refers back to a known thing: (e.g., Bob spent six hours writing the program, so it is his property).

  5. Empty sentence openers can appear in the middle of sentences as well as the beginnings.

  6. Avoid trying to find or eliminate empty openers while drafting. Wait until revising (unless you enjoy writer's block).

Start Exercise

In the following examples, note that removing weak sentence openers not only shifts emphasis, but also increases clarity and conciseness.

Hint
1. Original:

There are many aspects of the problem that have not yet been considered.

1. Hinted:

There are many aspects of the problem that have not yet been considered.

1. Revised:

Hint
2. Original:

There are several problems that are caused by the slow response.

2. Hinted:

There are several problems that are caused by the slow response.

2. Revised:

Explanation

Some writers believe they add emphasis to a sentence by using it is or there are. For example, in the last case above, the writer may have used the empty opener to emphasize several problems. However, the solution that places this information at the end actually gives these words more emphasis and makes the sentence easier to read and remember.


Sometimes we can eliminate more than a few words:

Hint
3. Original:

It is considered that implementation of a range of measures should lead to a reduction of the emissions.

3. Hinted:

It is considered that implementation of a range of measures should lead to a reduction of the emissions.

3. Revised:

Explanation

Note that our first solution removes the clause containing the empty opener (It is considered that) without changing the meaning of the sentence. For some writers, empty openers are a habitual way of beginning a sentence, functioning like the ums and ahs that sometimes punctuate speech. The second revision eliminates more unnecessary words, reducing the verb phrase from should lead to a reduction of to should reduce, and thus producing a sentence with all the content but only half the words of the original.

Hint
4. Original:

It is clear that the kiln contributes to the problems.

4. Hinted:

It is clear that the kiln contributes to the problems.

4. Revised:

Hint
5. Original:

It is probable that we should measure the wind characteristics at the site.

5. Hinted:

It is probable that we should measure the wind characteristics at the site.

5. Revised:

Explanation

When empty openers are removed from the beginning of a sentence, we are often left with modifiers to deal with. In such cases, we can usually revise the sentence by turning an adjective (clear or probable) into an adverb (clearly or probably). While these adverbs most often introduce the sentence (Clearly, the kiln contributes), they sometimes modify the verb (probably measure).


Some empty openers reflect a reluctance to use first-person pronouns (I, we):

Hint
6. Original:

It is our understanding that the clarifier does not form a direct part of the treatment system.

6. Hinted:

It is our understanding that the clarifier does not form a direct part of the treatment system.

6. Revised:

Explanation

Given that our understanding includes a first-person pronoun (our), we see no reason for the writer to be reluctant to use the clearer, more concise expression, we understand.


Sometimes revising an empty opener out of a sentence involves combining sentences.

Hint
7. Original:

There is a trust among peers and a growing trust with management. This encourages open communication and productivity.

7. Hinted:

There is a trust among peers and a growing trust with management. This encourages open communication and productivity.

7. Revised:

Explanation

We often see this combination of one sentence beginning with an empty opener and the next with this as the subject. Characteristically, what is left after the empty opener is removed from the original sentence can replace this as the subject of the following sentence.


Sometimes revising an empty opener out of a sentence involves combining sentences.

Hint
8. Original:

It is true that there is now widespread acceptance that there is a solid market for our company's goods, but there is now increased competition for our products.

8. Hinted:

It is true that there is now widespread acceptance that there is a solid market for our company's goods, but there is now increased competition for our products.

8. Revised:

Explanation

Four empty openers in one sentence are bound to cause problems for readers. Did you have trouble figuring out what the writer was saying in the last part of the original sentence? At first, we were confused by the phrase competition for the company's products, which can be read as more people wanting their products than ever before. However, on reading more of the document containing this sentence, we decided that the writer meant to say that the company faces more competition in the marketplace than used to be the case. We could not find a reference to explain who accepts that the company has a solid market for its goods, so we decided to add the generic noun, people. But the writer could have been thinking of venture capitalists, senior management, stockbrokers, market analysts, or employees.


The final example illustrates that revising to eliminate empty openers is not always straightforward. Sometimes you must play around with a sentence. However, time spent revising for empty openers can be time well spent. As the above example indicates, empty openers can affect your ability to communicate thoughts effectively. Taking the time to identify and eliminate the majority of empty openers is one way to help ensure your readers are treated to well-ordered, coherent, clear, and concise sentences.