We write a sentence.
We look at it.
And think, ‘It doesn’t look smart. The reader will have guessed our meaning, way ahead. They’ll judge us pedantic.’
So, we Trim. Elide. Remove redundancy – not of words but of meaning.
And the Reader sees a gap between Print (on the page) and Intention (in the writer’s mind) and thinks, ‘Too far. Can’t be bothered to jump that gap.’
And puts the book down.
We write to reach another person’s mind.
Choose Connection over Cleverness.
Aim for Congruity. Consistency. Clarity.