美國人寫作三個原則（二）
這就像美國大文豪馬克吐溫 Mark Twain 說的：我不愿在字典里找長字或難字，我絕不用metropolis這個字，因為我同樣可以用city這個字來代替。羅斯福總統為了強調美國政府不會遺忘那些窮人，在一篇講詞里用了這么一句：We are endeavoring to construct a more inclusive society.后來被人批評咬文嚼字，賣弄文筆。如果用淺白易懂的字眼寫成：We are going to make this country in which no one is left out.或We are trying to make everyone equal.也許更簡單明白!
2. 老外也主張不寫嚕蘇或絢麗的字眼(flowery or wordy)，句子應該越短越好，一句能用兩個字，絕不多加一個。 例如：
At this point in time, we should pull together for our goal.(現在我們應該為我們的目標團結一致!)(如果說：Now, we should pull更簡單。因為 at this point in time = now)
Despite the fact that my English is not very good, I am not discouraged. (雖然我的英語不好，但我不灰心。)(如果說：Although my English is not 就更簡短。因為despite the fact that= although = Though)
I am of the opinion that Mr. Lee should resign from this position.(我想李先生應該辭職。)(假如說：I think Mr. Lee should不是更簡單嗎?因為I am of the opinion = I think)
He quitted the job due to the fact that he was sick.(他由于生病而辭職)(若說：He quitted the job because he was sick. 更簡單。因為 due to the fact that = because)
In the majority of cases, he likes to ride bike to the office.(他通常喜歡騎單車去辦公室。)(如果說：Usually, he likes to ride 更簡單。因為 in the majority of cases = usually)
She shows a preference for tea rather than coffee.(她喜歡茶而不是咖啡。)(若說：She prefers tea rather更簡短清楚，因為 show a preference for = prefer)
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang.(我要通知王先生。)如果只說：I will tell Mr. Wang(about the matter). 不是更簡單嗎?因為 bring the matter to the attention of = tell = inform)(句子最后面：about the matter可以省去);同理，也要避免意義的重復或用字的多余(redundant)， 例如：
The consensus(of opinion)is that we have to act right away.(大家認為我們必須立即行動。)(of opinion 可以省去，因為 consensus 的意思，就是大家的意見。)
The letter shows that the problem(continues to)remain unsolved.(他的信表明問題尚未解決。)(continue to 是多余的字，因為 remain 已經有 continue 的含意。所以句子就成為 The letter shows that the problem remains unsolved.)
這就像美國大文豪馬克吐溫 Mark Twain 說的：我不愿在字典里找長字或難字，我絕不用metropolis這個字，因為我同樣可以用city這個字來代替。羅斯福總統為了強調美國政府不會遺忘那些窮人，在一篇講詞里用了這么一句：We are endeavoring to construct a more inclusive society.后來被人批評咬文嚼字，賣弄文筆。如果用淺白易懂的字眼寫成：We are going to make this country in which no one is left out.或We are trying to make everyone equal.也許更簡單明白!
2. 老外也主張不寫嚕蘇或絢麗的字眼(flowery or wordy)，句子應該越短越好，一句能用兩個字，絕不多加一個。 例如：
At this point in time, we should pull together for our goal.(現在我們應該為我們的目標團結一致!)(如果說：Now, we should pull更簡單。因為 at this point in time = now)
Despite the fact that my English is not very good, I am not discouraged. (雖然我的英語不好，但我不灰心。)(如果說：Although my English is not 就更簡短。因為despite the fact that= although = Though)
I am of the opinion that Mr. Lee should resign from this position.(我想李先生應該辭職。)(假如說：I think Mr. Lee should不是更簡單嗎?因為I am of the opinion = I think)
He quitted the job due to the fact that he was sick.(他由于生病而辭職)(若說：He quitted the job because he was sick. 更簡單。因為 due to the fact that = because)
In the majority of cases, he likes to ride bike to the office.(他通常喜歡騎單車去辦公室。)(如果說：Usually, he likes to ride 更簡單。因為 in the majority of cases = usually)
She shows a preference for tea rather than coffee.(她喜歡茶而不是咖啡。)(若說：She prefers tea rather更簡短清楚，因為 show a preference for = prefer)
I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang.(我要通知王先生。)如果只說：I will tell Mr. Wang(about the matter). 不是更簡單嗎?因為 bring the matter to the attention of = tell = inform)(句子最后面：about the matter可以省去);同理，也要避免意義的重復或用字的多余(redundant)， 例如：
The consensus(of opinion)is that we have to act right away.(大家認為我們必須立即行動。)(of opinion 可以省去，因為 consensus 的意思，就是大家的意見。)
The letter shows that the problem(continues to)remain unsolved.(他的信表明問題尚未解決。)(continue to 是多余的字，因為 remain 已經有 continue 的含意。所以句子就成為 The letter shows that the problem remains unsolved.)
