#0 is correct. I'll recommend this piece on S&W [1] and specifically on point #5 [2]. These style guides, especially points #1 through #6, came about from bure

#0 is correct. I'll recommend this piece on S&W [1] and specifically on point #5 [2]. These style guides, especially points #1 through #6, came about from bureaucrats who were essentially filibustering or otherwise obfuscating in their writing. The root problem there was not the long-winded writing, it was their intent to hide bad things. If you can make sure you're not carrying water for corrupt officials, you best strategy is to try to write natural prose. Yes, do look for wordy phrases or cliches, but don't obsess over adverbs or the passive voice. [1] https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=15509 https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=15509 [2] http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/003366.html http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/003366.h...