Dear Legal Writer, Here’s a nifty edit to try in your next brief. It shaves off THREE syllables and TWO words:

 ✏️  Instead of “is not required to,” use “need not.”

Examples:

Ex 1:      To prevail on its motion, the defendant is not required to disprove the plaintiffs’ claims.

Rev 1:    To prevail on its motion, the defendant need not disprove the plaintiffs’ claims.

**
Ex 2:     At the pleading stage, a plaintiff is not required to establish actual damages.

Rev 2:    At the pleading stage, a plaintiff need not establish actual damages.

**
✏️  “Need not” is smoother, too.

That’s good for your flow.

💌 Amanda

#DearLegalWriter

🛑 One CAVEAT: “Need not” works for litigation, but be careful in contracts, where “is required to” can connote special obligations.