美國人喜歡短句表達 2
作者：不詳 （字數：2400字作文）
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. （雖然我的英文不好，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. (他由於生病而辭職) (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.（他通常喜歡騎腳踏車到辦公室) (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) (句子最後面：「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.（他的信顯示問題尚未解決）(continue to 是多餘的字，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.）
? He has made his (final) conclusion in his speech.（他在演說里做出結論） (final 是多餘的字，因為 conclusion 已經含有 final 的意思。）
? He has had many years of (actual) experience in business。（他有多年經商的經驗) (actual 也是多餘的字，因為 experience 已有 actual 的意味）
? We assembled (together) all the parts for our radio.（我們裝好收音機的零件）(因為 assemble 本身就有 together 的意思，所以 together 是多餘的）
? Enclosed (herewith ) please find the report of the meeting.（herewith 是多餘的字，因為 enclosed 就有 herewith 的意思）(即：附上會議報告，請查收)
?寫到這裡，想起一位深受美國人民愛戴，一向主張不寫長句、不嚕囌的美國已故參議員 Stephen Young，他每次受邀參加會議、演講、宴會時，他的回信只有三個字「我會到」（I'll be there）……。也有人打趣的說：「講演或寫作的句子，就像穿迷你裙，愈短愈好。」（Like wearing mini-skirt, sentences in speech or writing should be the shorter, the better.）
此外還有：in reference to = about; draw to close = end; at an early date = soon等。