Let us begin with the basic elements of an English sentence: subject and verb. Clear writing begins with a subject followed by a verb. But not just any kind of subject. Some subjects are clearer and simpler than others. Short subjects (firm, machine, bank) are better than long subjects (an explanation of the results, estimating the equation and collapsing the model into just one sector, the fact that Keynes took a vacation rather than attend the conference), and concrete subjects (Exxon, cardboard box, Samuelson’s “Principles”) are better than abstract subjects (economic agent, container, publication). In addition, flesh-and-blood subjects (Keynes, we, economists) are preferred to, again, abstract subjects (liquidity preference, analysis, point estimation). Likewise, singular subjects (an economist) are preferred to plural subjects (economists); this is especially true with possessives: singular possessives (the agent’s behavior) are preferable to plural possessives (agents’ behavior).

And once you have a subject, stick with it. Don’t call it wages in one sentence, remuneration in another, and returns to labor in a third.

Now, verbs. Choose a verb that actually names the action taking place. You might think you always do that. But we often “hide” the action taking place in a noun, choosing as a verb instead a word with little meaning—often a form of to be or to have. There is a word for nouns that “hide” actions: nominalizations, which are simply noun forms of verbs. Here are some examples:

·        Verb with little meaning + nominalization: We make the assumption.

·        Verb with meaning: We assume.

·        Verb with little meaning + nominalizations: The result of the initiative was a decrease in crime rates.

·        Verb with meaning: The initiative decreased crime rates.

·        Verb with little meaning + nominalizations: The response of aggregate consumption to business cycle shocks has been a central focus of macroeconomic research. (American Economic Review, 2023)

·        Verbs with meaning: Macroeconomists have focused on how consumers respond when the economy suddenly shrinks or expands. (Note too the change from an abstract, long subject—the response of aggregate consumption to business cycle shocks—to short, flesh-and-blood subjects: macroeconomists and consumers.)

Another way of thinking about this: Write with verbs, not nouns. If a sentence has far more nouns than verbs, you might want to revise it.

Again, the basic sentence is a subject followed by a verb. And a clear, simple sentence contains a subject followed immediately (or nearly immediately) by the verb.  That is, readers like to get past the subject to the verb very quickly.

To sum up: To develop a clear, simple style, use short, concrete, flesh-and-blood subjects, and use verbs that name—really name—the action taking place.