7 filler words that you just don’t need. Really.

Beginning writers do it. Experienced writers do it—pack their sentences with unnecessary “filler words,” making a perfectly clear five-word sentence sound weak, dull and vague. With a discerning red pen (or delete key), eliminate filler words for more powerful copy.

Here are 7 common filler words we use all the time and how to get rid of them. (Pop Quiz: How many filler words did I use in the headline?)

1. That

“That” is the most overly used filler word. Writers use it in between phrases whe...