Revise
Cliches... again?
Wordiness
Idiomatic Prepositions
100

Because I like to do my homework right away I have the rest of the afternoon free.

Because I like to do my homework right away, I have the rest of the afternoon free.

100

After a couple months, Jane was now fit as a fiddle!

fit as a fiddle - healthy

100
The tree was planted by my grandfather.
My grandfather planted the tree.
100

Sue paid for her gift ___ advance

in

200

Falling, Marissa tried to catch the vase.

Marissa tried to catch the falling vase.

200

They had never met, but as soon as he saw her, he fell head over heels for her.

fell head over heels - fall in love

200

Due to the fact that I have a report I must turn in to the boss at some point today before he leaves the building, the report should be finished by me soon.

I should finish my report soon, so I can hand it to my boss before he leaves.

200

The buses seem to be ___ schedule today.

on

300

Isabella is watching TV her brother is listening to the radio.

Isabella is watching TV, and her brother is listening to the radio.

300

The eerie whispery sounds from outside the window sent shivers down my spine. 

sent shivers down my spine - scared

300

In the event that our state is hit by the earthquake, we might as well begin our list of preparations for an occurrence such as this one.

We can start preparing now in case the earthquake hits us.

300

Families residing near the volcano are especially ___ risk

at

400

Before we go home we have to make sure our desks are neat and straight.

Before we go home, we have to make sure our desks are neat and straight.

400

Seeing the policeman, the bully ran away with his tail between his legs. 

tail between his legs

400

An error has occurred with your account, but every attempt was made to remedy it.

We made an error with your account, but we have made every attempt to remedy it.

400

Herman cleans houses ___ a living.

for

500

Although I believe that the words of our Founding Fathers still ring true in our hearts.

Although I believe that the words of our Founding Fathers still ring true in our hearts, we need to accept that the world may be changing as well. 

500

Even though she is 80 year old, she’s still sharp as a tack.

sharp as a tack - clever, still very smart

500

By means of the subway, the man who was seen to have been wearing a hat was able to essentially skip to the town that is adjacent to ours before he was apprehended by a unit of police officers.

The man with the hat took the subway to the next town over before the police caught him.

500
It seems that the driver was driving ___ the influence of alcohol.

under