1. eliminating the modifiers

The second reference to a noun accompanied by modifiers can often be made more concise simply by using the noun alone. As can be seen from the following examples, the meaning remains perfectly clear, confirming that the words omitted are indeed “unnecessary”.

Another way of eliminating modifiers in a second reference is to substitute a single word that represents them. The words most often used for this purpose are the demonstrative adjectives (this, that, these, those) and the possessive pronouns (my, your, his/her/its, our, your, their), which function as adjectives.

Example: Original: The National Conference on Iron and Steel Production was held in Beijing from this date to that, by such-and-such a ministry under the auspices of so-and-so. The National Conference on Iron and Steel Production drew up a national plan for this and laid down the principle of doing that.

Revision: The National Conference on Iron and Steel Production was held in Beijing from this date to that, by such-and-such a ministry under the auspices of so-and-so. The Conference drew up a national plan for this and laid down the principle of doing that.

Original: For our part, we have already made a concession by putting forward the principle of “one country, two systems”. We believe that eventually our motherland will be reunified based on the principle of “one country, two systems”.

2. replacing the expression with a summary noun

Sometimes, it is necessary to supply a general noun that, with or without adjective, will neatly sump up the entire phrase being replaced:

Example: Original: It means failure to make clear the policy limits and the proper style of work when giving assignments, in other words, failure to give the cadres at the middle and lower levels receiving assignments through instructions on policy limits and proper style of work.

Revision: It means failure to make clear the policy limits and the proper style of work when giving assignments, in other words, failure to give the cadres at the middle and lower levels receiving assignments through instructions on these matters.

Original: The practice of the past decade has proved that the lines, principles, and policies adopted by the Party since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee are correct and that it is correct to carry out the reform and opening up…The reform and opening up will not be accomplished in a short period of time.

3. replacing the expression with a pronoun

The commonest means of considering repeated references to an idea is to replace the spell-out version with a pronoun. While pronouns appear relatively seldom in Chinese, their use is deeply rooted in English.

Example: Original: Why cannot these lines and policies be changed? Because the practice of the past ten years has proved that these lines and policies are completely correct.

4. replacing the expression with initials

When the thing referred to is an organization, institution, official body, or the like, a special means is available for abbreviating subsequent references to it: the entire name can frequently be reduced to initials.