beyond a shadow of a doubt
Beyond a shadow of a doubt is a wordy and overworked expression. To make your writing more effective, replace this expression with an adverb such as undoubtedly, certainly, definitely, indisputably or truly.
- Wordy: Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we will have to increase our funding.
- Concise: We will undoubtedly (or certainly) have to increase our funding.
- Wordy: That was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the most exciting trip I’ve ever taken.
- Concise: That was definitely (or truly) the most exciting trip I’ve ever taken.
- Wordy: I can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the defendant is telling the truth.
- Concise: I can prove indisputably that the defendant is telling the truth.
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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada
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