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Stop using filler words (and fix the real issue instead)

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ChatGPT LOVES to use filler words—phrases that add bulk without substance.

Consider:

  • “In today’s fast-paced world…”
  •  “It’s important to remember that…”
  •  “This highlights the importance of…”
  •  “At the end of the day…”
  • “Ultimately, this means that…”
  •  “In conclusion,” (followed by a bland summary)
  •  “One of the key takeaways is…”

This kind of wording attempts to orient the reader (“Here comes the conclusion!” or “I’m moving on to another subject!”) without actually doing the work of making sure everything flows logically and makes sense.

And it’s not just ChatGPT; we’ve been using these phrases all along in our writing.

They’re crutches to prop up weak logic, poor transitions, and messy structure. If you find yourself using them, identify the point of weakness and fix that instead.

Your writing will be stronger for it.