一、 避免使用语意弱的 “be” 动词。
1 、 可以把句中的表语转换为不同的修饰语。
例如: Weak: The trees are bare. The grass i s brown.
The l andscape seems drab.
Revision:The brown grass and bare trees form a drab l andscape. ( 转换为前置定语 ) Or: The l andscape, bare and brown, begged for spring green. ( 转换为并列结构作后置 定语 )
2 、 将作表语用的形容词或名词变为行为动词。
例如: 1) Weak: The team members are good players.
Revision: The team members play well. 2)
Weak: One worker's plan i s the elimination of tardiness.
Revision: One worker's plan eliminates tardiness.
3 、 在以 “here” 或 “there” 开头的句子中, 把 “be” 动词后的名词代词变成改写句的主语。
例如: 1) Weak: There i s no opportunity for promotion.
Revision: No opportunity for promotion exists.
2) Weak: Here are the books you ordered.
Revision: The books you ordered have arrived.
二、 多用语意具体的动词, 保持句意简洁明了。
例如: 1 、 Poor: My supervisor went past my desk.
Better:My supervisor sauntered ( =walked slowly) past my desk.
2 、 Poor: She i s a careful shopper. Better: She compares prices and quality.
三、 尽量运用主动语态。
例如:
1 、 Weak: The organization has been supported by charity.
Better: Charity has supported the organization.
2 、 Weak: The biscuits were stacked on a plate.
Better: Mother stacked the biscuits on a plate.
四、 防止使用语意冗长累赘的词语。
例如:
1 、 Wordy: My l ittle sister has a preference for chocolate milk.
I mproved: My l i ttle sister prefers chocolate milk.
2 、 Wordy: We are i n receipt of your l etter and i ntend to follow your recommendations.
I mproved: We have received your l etter and i ntended to follow your recommendation.
3 、 Redundant: We had a serious crisis at school yesterday when our chemistry l aboratory caught fire.
I mproved: We had a crisis at school yesterday when our chemistry l aboratory caught fire.
4 、 Redundant: My sister and I bought the same, i dentical dress i n different stores.
I mproved: My sister and I bought the same dress i n different stores.
五、 杜绝滥用陈旧词语或难懂的专业术语。
例如:
1 、 Weak: They will not agree to his proposals i n any shape or form.
I mproved: They will not agree to any of his proposals.
2 、 Weak: I need her financial i nput before I can guesstimate our expenditures next fall.
I mproved: I need her financial figures before I can estimate our expenditures next fall.