英语写作时你要忘掉这23个单词和短语

在阅读英文内容的时候，你是否会因为作者写的不清不楚而百思不得其解？又或者你写的东西是否会经常被你的读者误解？这很有可能是英语写作时凌乱塞满了填充词（filler words）所致，就好比一张桌子上乱七八糟地堆满了杂物。冗长杂乱的写作将使你的读者难以轻松领会你的意图。

正如马克·吐温所言：

I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.
我没时间写出简洁的信，所以只好写一封长信给你。

写一封短信需要绞尽脑汁，精炼语言，倾注深刻丰富的情感，而写一封长信则可以想到什么写什么，洋洋洒洒就是几千字，反而不怎么花时间。对于一封信而言，过多旁枝末节的句子反而容易将信的主题带跑偏；对于一句话而言，多余的单词和短语也将起到同样的作用，令读者费解。

一、模糊限制语（hedging words）

人们喜欢使用模糊限制语来使自己的语气显得不那么强势，然而一旦使用了之后往往会让你的句子空洞无力。虽然有时候模糊限制语在表达的时候能够体现细微不同的含义，如slightly overweight可以比overweight表达出更精准的含义，但如果你并不需要多这么一层意思的话，用了只会削弱你的文字爆发力。

• Slightly
  I’m slightly annoyed by Kate’s repeated tardiness.
• Sort of, Kind of
  Their plan was kind of short-sighted.
• Rather, somewhat
  The play was rather interesting.
• Quite
  His car is quite fast.
• Probably
  We should probably wait to send that email until we have final approval.
• As a rule
  As a rule, Cats prefer to sleep in warm, comfortable places.

二、介词短语（prepositional phrases）

介词用于表达一个事物与另一个事物的时间或者位置关系，如方位（over the hedge）、时间（since yesterday morning）、地点（at the bank）以及空间（under the stairs）。介词短语就是包含着介词、介词对象以及该对象的修饰词的一组词。

一些介词短语不仅能让句子变得杂乱，甚至还可以使得句子听起来过于正式和古板，就像下面这些惯犯（ frequent offenders）。

• With regard to / In reference to
  I’m writing in reference to about Jimmy’s latest report card.
• As to whether
  She inquired as to whether asked whether they would have enough silverware for the party.
• At all times
  Look both ways at all times before proceeding through an intersection.
• In terms of
  She’s good in terms of writing. She’s a good writer.
• In the event of
  Please give 24-hours notice in the event of a cancellation to cancel.
• In the process of
  We’re in the process of moving next week.

三、行话（jargon）

众所周知，商业写作里充满了行话，它们的存在使得商业文件更具形式感和专业性。然而，在没有下面这些填充词和行话短语的情况下，商业沟通将变得更加清晰直接。

• Due to the fact that / In fact
  Due to the fact that there was a snowstorm Because of the snowstorm, they were closed for the day.
• Definitely
  I would definitely like to attend the meeting.
• Has the ability to
  She has the ability to can make great contributions to the program.
• I believe / In my opinion
  I believe We can make that happen.
• Needless to say
  Needless to say, James excelled at his job.
• It’s important to note that
  It’s important to note that Business communication should be clear and concise.