Avoiding Overuse of Filler Words

Lesson
Avoiding Overuse of Filler Words

 

 Essential Question

 

How do we make our writing clear and concise?

 


Grammar in the World

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When you are speaking or writing, the goal is to have the other person understand what you are communicating.  Using a lot of words that don't add to the meaning of your message only makes it harder to understand.  In this lesson, we'll work on how to avoid overusing filler words in your writing!

 

What Do I Know?

Use the interactive below to see what you already know about avoiding the overuse of filler words:

 

Learn about Avoiding the Overuse of Filler Words

Have you ever listened to yourself give a speech? I remember that the first time I listened to myself give a speech I was surprised to discover how often I used the word “um.” I was nervous, and as my brain was thinking of the next words to say, my mouth filled in that empty space with way too many filler “ums.” In a similar way, we sometimes use filler words in our writing. Filler words are words or phrases that are overused and that do not add significant meaning to your sentences. They can make your writing clunky and difficult to read.

While this list is not comprehensive, here are some filler words and phrases that you can often cut from your writing. 



Filler Words

Note: Some “After” examples are the same as the “Before” sentences without the filler word(s). However, some examples also have another, more descriptive (and more interesting!) word that replaces the filler word. 

Absolutely

Before: Jenna was absolutely shocked that she won the award.

After: Jenna was shocked that she won the award.

After: Jenna was utterly shocked that she won the award.

Actually

Before: You actually need to pay attention to the instructions.

After: You need to pay attention to the instructions.

Basically

Before: I am basically an expert at losing my phone.

After: I am an expert at losing my phone.

Due to the fact

Before: Due to the fact that it is raining, the baseball game has been postponed.

After: Because it is raining, the baseball game has been postponed.

For what it’s worth

Before: For what it’s worth, I think that skirt is overpriced.

After: I think that skirt is overpriced.

In order to

Before: Charles practiced basketball for two hours every day in order to make the school team.

After: Charles practiced basketball for two hours every day to make the school team.

Just

Before: I am just wondering if you are coming to the game.

After: I am wondering if you are going to the game.

Literally

Before: Chiara was so excited about the A on her Comp and Lit paper that she literally jumped for joy.

After: Chiara was so excited about the A on her Comp and Lit paper that she jumped for joy.

Maybe/Perhaps


Note: these “maybe” and “perhaps are sometimes okay to use in writing, but they can communicate uncertainty in your writing.  

Before: Perhaps you should tell your mom that you will miss Sunday dinner this week.

After: You should tell your mom that you will miss Sunday dinner this week.

Needless to say

Before: Needless to say, Alesia was thrilled to have won the election.

After: Alesia was thrilled to have won the election. 

Really

Before: I am not really sure why I overuse filler words sometimes.

After: I am not sure why I overuse filler words sometimes. 

Simply

Before: Carmen was simply exhausted after her 12-hour nursing shift.

After: Carmen was exhausted after her 12-hour nursing shift. 

So

Before: So, what time are we leaving?

After: What time are we leaving?

Before: I am so hungry.

After: I am hungry. 

After: I am starving. 

That

Before: After Carissa and her boyfriend broke up, she believed that she would never be happy again.

After: After Carissa and her boyfriend broke up, she believed she would never be happy again. 

Totally

Before: I totally overuse filler words sometimes.

After: I overuse filler words sometimes.

Very

Before: Cameron was very happy to be accepted into the Master’s program at Purdue University.

After: Cameron was elated to be accepted into the Master’s program at Purdue University

Do I Get It?

What have you learned about clear and effective writing? Use this interactive to check your understanding.

Directions: Identify the filler words/phrases in the following sentences of fun facts about the cocoa bean (and its delicious counterpart, chocolate). Note that some sentences have more than one filler word/phrase.