Where’s the Beef?
Which would you rather eat — a burger made with 100% meat or one that’s clogged with flour, preservatives, and other fillers? Assuming you’re not a vegetarian, you probably want the beef, not the filler. In the same way, your readers want your message, not the mealy-mouthed hedge words that clog up their brains. In our business writing training programs in Los Angeles, California, we show people how to avoid these irritating extras.
Filler Words Are Annoying
Filler words and phrases are annoying to everyone except the people who use them.
Some common examples are just, probably, really, and very. There are also phrases like to make a long story short, needless to say, and to be honest, not to mention the inimitable whatever.
Here are some examples:
I just wanted to let you guys know that the proposal will probably be ready by some time today.
Want to earn Brownie points? Revise this sentence yourself. I am placing an edited version at the end of the Writamin. Send me your edited version and I will send you our free e-book.
Now try this one:
We are really hoping to get very lucky with our retail sales this winter. To be honest, it’s simply something we just have to do.
The edited version is below.
How’d you do?
Why Do People Use Filler Words?
In my experience as a business writing trainer in Los Angeles, California, people use filler words for three main reasons:
- They lack confidence in their message.
- They are afraid of seeming too assertive.
- They never learned any differently.
Lack of Confidence
When writers are unsure whether their message is correct, they hedge their bets by adding words like probably, maybe, might, and so forth. Then, if they turn out to be wrong, they can plead plausible deniability: “I only said it would probably be ready today.”
Fear of Seeming Brazen
Hedge words like just, really, very, and their ilk crop up when a reader is afraid of coming on too strong. Women are especially likely to resort to these words, thanks to the prevalent fear of seeming bossy.
If you are tempted to use these words, remember that “less is more.” A person who says she is “really really sorry” for a mistake does not sound sorrier than the one who writes a dignified, “I’m sorry.”
Mimicking the Wrong People
If a writer was raised by folks who routinely said things like, “To be honest, I just don’t know for sure,” they might not realize that using filler words is problematic. These individuals benefit greatly from writing training to broaden their horizons.
When to Use Filler Words
Certain regions of the United States and certain countries rely on filler words as social glue. They use these words to soften and blunt their messages.
If you are trying to reduce your message’s force — and there are times when this is the case — then adding the occasional just or really is a suitable spice.
However, to gain the respect of executive readers and busy businesspeople, cut the fluff and get to the point.
For a hilarious look at filler words gone awry, check out this 55-second video.
EDITED VERSION OF SAMPLE SENTENCES
I just wanted to let you guys know that the proposal will probably be ready by some time today.
Becomes: The proposal will be ready later today.
We are really hoping to get very lucky with our retail sales this winter. To be honest, it’s simply something we just have to do.
Becomes: We have high hopes for our retail sales this winter.