250 Useless Filler Words That Rob Your Writing Power

6 days ago4 min read

These words add fluff and weaken sentences.

Filler Word	Weak Example	Stronger Rewrite
Actually	I actually think this is a great idea.	I think this is a great idea.
Basically	We basically need to fix the problem.	We need to fix the problem.
Clearly	Clearly, we should avoid that approach.	We should avoid that approach.
Definitely	This is definitely a good opportunity.	This is a good opportunity.
Literally	I am literally exhausted.	I am exhausted.
Obviously	Obviously, this is the best choice.	This is the best choice.
Really	This is really important.	This is important.
Seriously	Seriously, we need to reconsider.	We need to reconsider.
Simply	We simply cannot wait any longer.	We cannot wait any longer.
Totally	I totally understand your concern.	I understand your concern.
Absolutely	That is absolutely the truth.	That is the truth.
Honestly	Honestly, I don’t like the plan.	I don’t like the plan.
Just	I just wanted to check in.	I wanted to check in.
Kind of	I kind of understand the problem.	I understand the problem.
Pretty much	This is pretty much what I expected.	This is what I expected.
Quite	The situation is quite difficult.	The situation is difficult.
Rather	The solution is rather simple.	The solution is simple.
Somewhat	The results were somewhat disappointing.	The results were disappointing.
Sort of	I sort of agree with you.	I agree with you.
Very	She is very excited.	She is excited.

These phrases contain unnecessary repetition.

Redundant Phrase	Weak Example	Stronger Rewrite
Added bonus	The discount is an added bonus.	The discount is a bonus.
Advance planning	We need advance planning.	We need planning.
End result	The end result was a success.	The result was a success.
Exact same	This is the exact same strategy.	This is the same strategy.
Final conclusion	We reached a final conclusion.	We reached a conclusion.
Free gift	Get a free gift with purchase.	Get a gift with purchase.
Future plans	Our future plans include growth.	Our plans include growth.
Past history	She has a complicated past history.	She has a complicated history.
Unexpected surprise	The unexpected surprise was exciting.	The surprise was exciting.
Completely full	The room is completely full.	The room is full.

These phrases delay the main point and should be removed.

Weak Starter	Weak Example	Stronger Rewrite
I believe	I believe we need a new approach.	We need a new approach.
I feel that	I feel that this will work.	This will work.
I guess	I guess we should leave now.	We should leave now.
I suppose	I suppose you could be right.	You could be right.
I think	I think we should try again.	We should try again.
In my opinion	In my opinion, this is wrong.	This is wrong.
It seems like	It seems like the problem is fixed.	The problem is fixed.
It should be noted	It should be noted that sales increased.	Sales increased.
To be honest	To be honest, I dislike the plan.	I dislike the plan.
You know	You know, we should start now.	We should start now.

These words don’t add value and can be cut.

Modifier	Weak Example	Stronger Rewrite
A bit	I’m a bit tired.	I’m tired.
A little	I’m a little nervous.	I’m nervous.
A lot	She talks a lot.	She talks often.
As well	We need to consider costs as well.	We need to consider costs.
At all	I don’t like it at all.	I don’t like it.
Each and every	Each and every customer matters.	Every customer matters.
Every single	Every single detail counts.	Every detail counts.
Exactly	That’s exactly what I meant.	That’s what I meant.
First and foremost	First and foremost, safety is important.	Safety is important.
In general	In general, I agree.	I agree.

Prepositions and extra words make sentences longer than needed.

Unnecessary Words	Weak Example	Stronger Rewrite
Along the lines of	Something along the lines of this.	Something like this.
As far as I’m concerned	As far as I’m concerned, it’s fine.	It’s fine.
At this point in time	At this point in time, we agree.	We agree.
Due to the fact that	Due to the fact that he was late…	Because he was late…
For all intents and purposes	For all intents and purposes, it’s over.	It’s over.
For the most part	For the most part, it worked.	It worked.
In order to	In order to improve, we must practice.	To improve, we must practice.
In the event that	In the event that it rains, we’ll cancel.	If it rains, we’ll cancel.
Needless to say	Needless to say, we need more funding.	We need more funding.
With regards to	With regards to your request…	Regarding your request…

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