中式英语之鉴

红薯栗子

title: 中式英语之鉴
reading time : 2 hours
content: unnecessary words
after reading :
Part One, titled "Unnecessary Words," has been particularly illuminating, teaching me a great deal about streamlining my writing and making it more concise and effective.
One of the most significant things I've learned from this section is the importance of eliminating redundant words and phrases. The book points out numerous examples where writers, often unconsciously, use words that add no real value to the sentence. For instance, expressions like "in the modern society today" are redundant because "modern" already implies the present time, making "today" superfluous. This realization has made me more conscious of my own writing habits. I now pay closer attention to every word I use, constantly asking myself if it's truly necessary or if it's just taking up space.
What struck me the most was the detailed analysis of common word combinations that are not only unnecessary but also make the writing sound clumsy. Phrases such as "make an improvement" instead of simply "improve" or "at this point in time" instead of "now" were eye-openers. These are expressions that I have used frequently in the past, assuming they were correct and even sophisticated. However, after reading this part of the book, I understand that they actually detract from the clarity and elegance of my writing. It's fascinating how these seemingly minor adjustments can have a profound impact on the overall quality of the text.
Another aspect that left a deep impression on me was the explanation of how some words are often used inappropriately due to cultural misunderstandings. For example, Chinese learners of English might be inclined to use "very unique" because in Chinese, we often add intensifiers like "very" to adjectives. But in English, "unique" is an absolute term and doesn't require "very." This cultural nuance is something I had never really thought about before. It highlights the fact that English writing is not just about grammar and vocabulary but also about understanding the cultural context in which the language is used.
Moreover, the practical exercises provided at the end of each sub-section were extremely helpful. They allowed me to immediately apply what I had learned and test my understanding. Working through these exercises, I could see firsthand how much my writing improved when I removed the unnecessary words. It was a tangible reminder of the effectiveness of the principles outlined in the book.
In conclusion, Part One of A Word to the Wise has been a game-changer for me in terms of my English writing. It has equipped me with the tools to identify and eliminate unnecessary words, thereby enhancing the clarity and precision of my writing. The lessons learned from this section will undoubtedly stay with me as I continue to develop my writing skills, and I look forward to exploring the rest of the book to further refine my English writing abilities.