“A period of unfavorable weather set in.”

vs

“It rained every day for a week.”

Or compare:

He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his well-earned reward.

vs

He grinned as he pocketed the coin.

Or compare:

There is a general agreement among those who have enjoyed the experience that surf-riding is productive of great exhilaration.

vs

All who have tried surf-riding agree that it is most exhilarating.

If those who have studied the art of writing are in accord on any one point, it is on this, that the surest method of arousing and holding the attention of the reader is by being specific, definite, and concrete. Critics have pointed out how much of the effectiveness of the greatest writers, Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, results from their constant definiteness and concreteness.

(Taken from The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.)

In connection with the anticipated visit of Mr. B. to America, it is interesting to recall that he . . .

vs.

Mr. B., who it is expected will soon visit America . . .

Kind of. Not to be used as a substitute for rather (before adjectives and verbs), or except in familiar style, for something like (before nouns). Restrict it to its literal sense: “Amber is a kind of fossil resin;” “I dislike that kind of notoriety.” The same holds true of sort of.

Less. Should not be misused for fewer.

He had less men than in the previous campaign.

vs

He had fewer men than in the previous campaign.

Less refers to quantity, fewer to number. “His troubles are less than mine” means “His troubles are not so great as mine.” “His troubles are fewer than mine” means “His troubles are not so numerous as mine.” It is, however, correct to say, “The signers of the petition were less than a hundred,” where the round number a hundred is something like a collective noun, and less is thought of as meaning a less quantity or amount.

(Taken from The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.)