The X of Y

 The use of dialog

The problem of inflation

The issue of market manipulation

The question  of cheating

The scourge of drug addition

The debate on gun laws 

The use of information

The matter of crime

The importance of legislation

The nature of criminals

The phenomenon of cheating

The practice of murder 

The publication of the report

The announcement of the news

The power of the imagination

The significance of the result

The result of the survey


Very often the formula "The X of Y"  (or, more generally  "The + preposition (of/on/at/in/by/around etc)  + Y at the top of a sentence weakens it. 

Using "The X of Y" can obscure clarity because it forces an additional cognitive step to understand the relationship between X and Y. The structure can divert attention from the central subject by interposing a concept (X) that may be abstract or less immediate.

To improve clarity, you can directly state what you mean without the "X of Y" construct. Instead, use people if possible but also groups and things, and give them verbs to do For example:

  • Instead of "The use of dialogue," write "Characters speak."
  • Instead of "The problem of inflation," write "Inflation erodes purchasing power."
  • Instead of "The issue of market manipulation," write "Traders manipulate markets."
  • Instead of "The question of cheating," write "Students cheat on exams."
  • Instead of "The scourge of drug addiction," write "Drug addiction devastates communities."
  • Instead of "The debate on gun laws," write "Legislators argue over gun control."
  • Instead of "The use of information," write "Companies collect data."
  • Instead of "The matter of crime," write "Crime rates fluctuate."
  • Instead of "The importance of legislation," write "Laws shape society."
  • Instead of "The nature of criminals," write "Criminals can be violent or non-violent."
  • Instead of "The phenomenon of cheating," write "Cheating is widespread."
  • Instead of "The practice of murder," write "Murderers kill."
  • Instead of "The publication of the report," write "The report exposes facts."
  • Instead of "The announcement of the news," write "The media broadcasts events."
  • Instead of "The power of the imagination," write "Imagination creates worlds."
  • Instead of "The significance of the result," write "Results confirm ."
  • Instead of "The result of the survey," write "The survey shows ."


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