What Are Filler Words?
Filler words are words and phrases that take up space without adding meaning. They're the verbal equivalent of throat-clearing. Common examples include: "very", "really", "just", "basically", "actually", "in order to", "the fact that", and "it is important to note that".
Why Filler Words Weaken Writing
Every filler word dilutes your message. Writing that's tight and direct holds attention better. Editors routinely cut 10–20% of a first draft simply by removing filler words and unnecessary qualifiers.
Common Filler Words to Watch
- "Very" and "really" — use a stronger adjective instead
- "Just" — almost always deletable
- "Basically" and "essentially" — rarely add meaning
- "In order to" — replace with "to"
- "Due to the fact that" — replace with "because"