一、避免使用语意弱的“be”动词。 1.把句中的表语转换为不同的修饰语。例如: Weak: The trees are bare. The grass is brown. The l seems drab. Revision:The brown grass and bare trees form a drab landscape. (转换为前置定语) Or: The landscape, 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:本文来源:考试大网 1) Weak: The team members are good players. Revision: The team members play well. 2) Weak: One worker’s plan is 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 is 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 is 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 little sister has a preference for chocolate milk. Improved: My little sister prefers chocolate milk. 2.Wordy: We are in receipt of your letter and intend to follow yourrecommendations. Improved: We have received your letter and intended to follow your recommendation. 3.Redundant: We had a serious crisis at school yesterday when our chemistry laboratory caught fire. Improved: We had a crisis at school yesterday when our chemistry laboratory caught fire. 4.Redundant: My sister the same, identical dress in different stores. Improved: My sister the same dress in 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 in any shape or form. Improved: They will not agree to any of his proposals. 2.Weak: I need her before I can guesstimate our expenditures next fall. Improved: I need her financial figures before I can estimate our expenditures next fall.