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什么是填充词(Filler Words)? 该如何改善?

2017-03-02 15:04阅读：

http://blog.sina.cn/dpool/blog/u/5761023801

一般人写的文章都容易受到说话的习惯影响，导致句子不够精简，变的冗长。其实大部分的文章长度缩减20%~40%都不会影响到实际上的意思，相反的文章更结实了。
造成赘字的原因有许多，例如动词名词化、被动语与填充词等等，每一个原因都有解决方法，想了解该如何改善英语写作或论文写作，可以参考本篇改善填充词问题与其他两篇删减字数技巧的文章动词名词化 和 消除介词。

什么是填充字(filler)?


一般写作和学术写作都应避免填充词与不必要的单字、片语。填充字在句子里完全没有任何功用，因为我们时常不自觉的将说话的方式套用在写作上。拿我们博客为例，我们以对话方式来撰写是为了让读者容易理解，我们不用担心字数限制也希望透过轻松地叙述风格让读者了解英文写作信息，可是学术写作上的用字则不能这样使用，必须要精确。
来看看范文，你能看出填充词和冗词吗?
  1. There is an octopus sitting on top of my car.
  2. This is actually an interesting question.
  3. In order to apply the new method to our entire system, perhaps we should perform a local test.

句子语法都没错，可是能更精简
  1. There is an octopus sitting on top of my car. [10 字]
  2. This is actually an interesting question.
[6 字]
  • In order to apply the new method to our entire system, perhaps we should perform a local test. [18字]

  • 精简后版本
  1. An octopus is sitting on my car. [7 字]
  2. This question is interesting. [4 字]
  3. We should perform a local test before applying the new method to our system. [14 字]

改善填充词问题能有效缩减字数，平均缩减比例是25-30%句长。试想论文内容减少了25%字数却不减意思，内文变得多有效率。

如何找出并修改填充词?

下方列出了常见的填充词与或不必要的单字/片语，也提供了适合大部分情况的修改建议，你也可以照自己的其他方式修改。
填充词/多余的冗词或片语 修改建议 范文
A... then B... [chronological relationship] Use the structure 'A... and B...' Sometimes, readers can understand sequences because of causality implied in the sentence’s context. Joe ran up the hill then fell back down. → Joe ran up the hill and fell back down.
Absolutely, Certainly, Completely, Definitely Delete. In most cases, the verb accompanying these adverbs imply 100% unless otherwise qualified. We absolutely agree with that theory. → We agree with that theory.
All of the Use 'all the.' All of the cells ruptured. → All the cells ruptured.
As to whether Use 'whether.' He was uncertain as to whether he would attend the event next week. → He was uncertain whether he would attend the event next week.
At all time Delete. If you state a general fact, it is always true unless you qualify it otherwise. You must follow these rules at all times. → You must follow these rules.
Commonly Delete. Since 'commonly' implies a general statement, it's unnecessary to use when your statement is a general fact. People once commonly believed that the sun revolved around Earth. → People once believed the sun revolved around Earth.
Due to the fact that Use 'because' or restructure the sentence using stronger verbs. Due to the fact that we have limited resources, we will need to ration our daily intake. → We must ration our daily intake because of limited resources. OR Limited resources require us to ration our daily intake.
For all intents and purposes Delete. For all intents and purposes, this project will be run by the Zurich office. → This project will be run by the Zurich office.
For the purpose of Use 'to' + verb. For the purpose of creating a new cohort, we would like to... → To create a new cohort, we would like to...
Has the ability to Use 'can.' Jackson has the ability to mesmerize an audience with his charm. → Jackson can mesmerize an audience with his charm.
I/we believe; In my/our opinion Delete unless it would become unclear that the sentence reflects your thought alone. For example, if you are describing other people's thoughts and want to contrast those ideas with your opinion, you may wish to use these fillers. However, use them sparingly. In most cases, you can avoid the filler, as shown in the second example in the next column. In our opinion, our results are inconclusive. → Our results are inconclusive. Scientists believe that water once flowed on Mars; however, we believe this theory is unlikely because... → Scientists believe that water once flowed on Mars; however, this theory is unlikely because...
In spite of the fact that Use 'despite' or 'although.' She agreed to volunteer for the event in spite of the fact that she was busy with other work. → She agreed to volunteer for the event although she was busy with other work.
In terms of Delete and restructure or use 'about' or 'regarding,' depending on the context. We can agree with you in terms of the proposed timeframe. → We agree with your proposed timeframe. In terms of price, we would like to request a discount. → Regarding price, we would like to request a discount.
In the event that Use 'if.' In the event that you can't meet the deadline, please contact us immediately. → If you can't meet the deadline, please contact us immediately.
In the process of Use 'while' or 'when,' depending on the context. In the process of starting a new business, I hired an assistant. → When I started a new business, I hired an assistant
In order to Use 'to.' In order to advance to the next level, we must pass this exam. → To advance to the next level, we must pass this exam.
It is important to note Delete. If it wasn't important, you wouldn't be writing it, right? It is important to note that inclusion and exclusion criteria are not used to reject people personally. → Inclusion and exclusion criteria are not used to reject people personally.
It is possible that Use 'can,' 'could,' 'may,' or 'might,' depending on the context. It is possible that the show will be canceled due to inclement weather. → The show could be canceled due to inclement weather.
Just, Really, Very, Even Delete. He really loves winter, especially when it snows. → He loves winter, especially when it snows.
Needless to say Delete. Needless to say, the project will end tomorrow. → The project will end tomorrow.
That Delete unless it is essential for making the sentence clear. She believed that he was innocent. → She believed he was innocent. She liked the house that sat on top of the hill. → She liked the house that sat on top of the hill. ['That' is essential to explain which house.]
The fact that Delete and restructure. Mary hated the fact that she had to work on Mondays. → Mary hated working on Mondays.
There/Here/It is...There has/have been... Delete and restructure to create a stronger active subject/verb. These phrases distract from your sentence's main point. There have been many discussions among the scientific community about ethical boundaries in gene-splicing research. → The scientific community has frequently discussed the ethical boundaries in gene-splicing research.
With regard/reference to Use 'regarding' or 'about,' depending on the context. You can also rearrange your sentence to eliminate the 'with regard to'/'regarding' phrase. With regard to your previous questions, we will answer them during our meeting later today. → Regarding your previous questions, we will answer them during our meeting later today. OR We will answer your previous questions during our meeting later today.

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