Circumlocution - How to write and sound like an Englishman

Circumlocution

for Dummies

How to write and sound like a real Englishman

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Hello!

I am Mister Shy

I am here because I want
to share with you about
‘Circumlocution’.

Let’s get going!

1. How do you feel about this sentence?

“The urban residents live in tight clusters of
houses and in close proximity to each others in
the light of the fact that the properties in the
cities are overpriced.”

Bombastic words?

The writing is too
perfect for me?

Too British!

Simply, the sentence can also be written as this; 4

“The urban residents live in tight clusters of houses
and near to each others because the properties in
the cities are overpriced.”

Now, can you see how ‘Circumlocution’ works here?

Circumlocution is simply a phrase that circles around a
specific idea with multiple words.

in close proximity = near
in the light of the fact that = because

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2. Another example is this.

When somebody blocks our way, we Malaysian would

often say this;

“Get out of my way!”

Alternatively, you can also say this; to show more

politeness;

“I wonder if you would mind moving to one side?”

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“The British uses circumlocution in their

writings and conversations. This probably
derives from a need to sound learned or a
desire not to offend. I personally think using
circumlocution in our writing and speaking will
make us to look learned and polite too! And of
course it will make our English bombastic! ”

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Here are some Circumlocutionist’s Lexicon for you

✘ As a consequence of – because of
✘ At the time of writing – now/at present
✘ Be of the opinion that – think/believe
✘ Because of the fact that – because
✘ Beg to differ – disagree
✘ By virtue of the fact that – because
✘ Consequent upon – because of
✘ Due to the fact that –because
✘ For the very good reason that - because

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Here are some Circumlocutionist’s Lexicon for you

✘ In accordance with - under
✘ In addition to which - besides
✘ In majority of cases – usually
✘ In contradiction to – compared to/compared with
✘ In isolation –alone
✘ In respect of – about/concerning
✘ In spite of the fact that –although/even though
✘ In the light of the fact that – because
✘ In the near future - soon

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Here are some Circumlocutionist’s Lexicon for you

✘ In the recent past – recently
✘ On the account of the fact that –because
✘ Owning to the fact that –because
✘ Regardless of the fact that – although
✘ There can be little doubt that – no doubt/clearly
✘ With respect to – about/concerning
✘ Prior to -before

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One final advice,

✘ You need to use your circumlocution carefully.
✘ In some situations, it would be better to be

direct.
I believe you have sound judgement of when to
use circumlocution. All the best!

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Practice your circumlocution.
Find an essay written by you
and try to replace the existed
words with some
circumlocution that you have
learnt.

Impress yourself!

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Thank you!

I hope you have learnt something today. For any inquiries, you can reach me at
[email protected]