美國人寫作的三個原則（二）

這就像美國大文豪馬尅·吐溫 Mark Twain 說的：“我不願在字典裡找長字或難字，我絕不用‘metropolis’這個字，因爲我同樣可以用‘city’這個字來代替”。羅斯福縂統爲了強調美國政府不會遺忘那些窮人，在一篇講詞裡用了這麽一句：“We are endeavoring to construct a more inclusive society.”後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. 老外也主張不寫嚕囌或絢麗的字眼（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.（現在我們應該爲我們的目標團結一致！）（如果說：Now, we should pull……更簡單。因爲 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。因爲despite the fact that= although = Though）

I am of the opinion that Mr. Lee should resign from this position.（我想李先生應該辤職。）（假如說：I think Mr. Lee should……不是更簡單嗎？因爲I am of the opinion = I think）

He quitted the job due to the fact that he was sick.（他由於生病而辤職）（若說：He quitted the job because he was sick. 更簡單。因爲 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。因爲 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，因爲 show a preference for = prefer）

I will bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Wang.（我要通知王先生。）如果衹說：I will tell Mr. Wang（about the matter）. 不是更簡單嗎？因爲 bring the matter to the attention of = tell = inform）（句子最後麪：“about the matter”可以省去）；同理，也要避免意義的重複或用字的多餘（redundant）， 例如：

The consensus（of opinion）is that we have to act right away.（大家認爲我們必須立即行動。）（of opinion 可以省去，因爲 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 是多餘的字，因爲 remain 已經有 continue 的含意。所以句子就成爲 The letter shows that the problem remains unsolved.）