Writing with Clarity: Avoiding Overly Complex Sentences

Introduction

Clear writing lies at the heart of effective communication in both academic and professional contexts. In particular, sentence clarity in writing is indispensable: readers are less inclined to engage with overly complex sentences that obscure meaning. This essay argues that clarity over complexity in writing should be the writer's guiding principle. Through a review of empirical research on readability, cognitive load, and plain language, this post elucidates the pitfalls of convoluted syntax and offers concise writing techniques to foster readability in writing. Ultimately, the goal is to equip scholars and professionals with strategies for writing simple and clear sentences, thereby avoiding common mistakes that make writing confusing. In doing so, we also introduce how Thesis-Edit.com can support authors seeking clarity in their writing, offering expert editing that ensures how to write clearly becomes reality.

The Problem: Why Complex Sentences Hinder Understanding

At the outset, it is essential to define what constitutes an overly complex sentence. Sentences surpassing 20 words often result in declining comprehension: readers understand over 90% of content when average sentence length is ~14 words, but comprehension plummets below 10% when sentences stretch to 43 words (help.siteimprove.com). This steep drop illustrates how sentence structure affects readability and underscores the perils of verbosity.

Example of an Overly Complex Sentence:
"Despite the fact that the researcher attempted, through a variety of methods and instruments, to ascertain the possible reasons behind the observed discrepancies in the participants' reported levels of satisfaction, it nevertheless became evident that the data collected, which spanned several months, could not conclusively support the initial hypothesis."

Clearer Alternative:
"The researcher used several methods to identify the reasons for the discrepancies in participant satisfaction, but the data collected over several months did not support the initial hypothesis."

The second sentence preserves meaning but avoids unnecessary clauses and redundant phrasing.

Balancing Clarity and Engagement

Not all complexity is detrimental. Complex sentences may enrich engagement and allow nuanced expression.

Example of Effective Complexity (Balanced):
"While simple sentences make ideas easy to follow, well-structured complex sentences can add nuance and show how different ideas relate to one another."

This example shows that complexity can add depth, but remains digestible. Writers must evaluate whether each sentence structure aids or hinders comprehension.

Plain Language: Ethical, Inclusive, and Effective

The plain language movement offers robust guidance. Defined as writing that readers understand the first time, plain language is neither simplistic nor infantilizing—it simply removes unnecessary barriers to comprehension (en.wikipedia.org).

Its benefits are multifaceted:

• It is ethical and fosters trust in contexts such as healthcare, law, and education.
• It promotes inclusivity by supporting non-native speakers and individuals with reading challenges.
• It enhances reader perception, making authors appear more credible.

Example of Plain Language vs. Jargon:

• Complex: "The implementation of a multidisciplinary pedagogical framework necessitates an integrated approach toward the facilitation of cognitive development in early learners."
• Plain: "Teaching young children requires using different methods together to help them learn and think better."

Strategies for Writing Simple and Clear Sentences

To achieve concise writing techniques and enhance sentence clarity in writing, consider the following strategies.

Practical Writing Tips Table

Strategy	Poor Example (Complex)	Clear Example	Why It Works
Limit sentence length	"Given the fact that the committee, after much deliberation, concluded that the policy, which had been in draft form for several years, should finally be implemented in the near future, many members were relieved."	"After much deliberation, the committee decided to implement the policy, and many members were relieved."	Cuts unnecessary words and breaks ideas logically.
Prefer active voice	"It was decided by the team that the project would be delayed."	"The team decided to delay the project."	Active voice is shorter, clearer, and direct.
Use common words	"The individual exhibited a substantial predilection for commencing tasks prematurely."	"The person preferred to start tasks early."	Common words increase readability and accessibility.
Avoid stacked clauses	"The participants, who were chosen at random, and who represented various academic disciplines, were asked to respond to a survey that was administered online."	"Randomly chosen participants from different disciplines completed an online survey."	Reduces clutter and maintains flow.
Organize logically	"Despite several challenges, including funding delays, a lack of staff, and poor communication, the project reached completion in the expected time frame, which impressed stakeholders."	"The project faced funding delays, staff shortages, and poor communication, but it was still completed on time, impressing stakeholders."	Lists details in a clear sequence and keeps the main point central.

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Practical Implications

Applying these strategies improves communication across contexts. In academia, plain language summaries increase public understanding of research. In healthcare, accessible materials empower patients. In business, plain communication enhances trust and efficiency.

For students, researchers, and professionals who find themselves struggling with clarity, editorial support is often the decisive factor. PaperEdit helps refine manuscripts, ensuring both scholarly rigor and accessibility by correcting common mistakes that make writing confusing and employing strategies for writing simple and clear sentences.

Conclusion

In summary, how to write clearly begins with recognizing the cost of overly complex sentences: lost comprehension, reduced engagement, and diminished trust. Yet clarity and sophistication can coexist through balanced sentence structures. Plain language provides the guiding principle, supported by decades of research in linguistics, education, and cognitive psychology. Writers can apply tools such as shortening sentences, using active voice, and structuring content logically. With expert services like PaperEdit, writers can ensure that their work exemplifies clarity over complexity in writing while maintaining academic precision.