不是所有的长句都是罗唆的,也不是凡是短的句子都是洗练的。我们要尽量运用简练的句子;我们也要尽量把没有增添语意的词语去掉,并且将冗长句子节缩,使之简练利落。我们可以从四方面着手:
一、消除多余的词语
每句话里的词藻或用语,如果对语意起不了作用就不要铺张,要给以铲除,因此(1)a-(7)a都嫌唠叨,要由 (1)b-(7)b 来取代:
(1) a. At this point of time → b. Now
(2) a. Bring all this to a conclusion. → b. Concluding this.
(3) a. Has a tendency to drop →b. Can drop easily.
(4) a. On account of the fact that... → b. As.../Since...
(5) a. Situated in the vicinity of... → b. near...
(6) a. June was determined in her mind to ..→ b. June was determined to ./June decided to ...
(7) a. Here comes David, a person whom I idolize and for whom I have the greatest admiration. →b. Here comes David, a person I idolize./Here comes my idol, David.
二、避免不必要的重复