147 Filler Words That Weaken Your Writing (Complete List)

Filler words dilute your message and waste space. This comprehensive list shows you exactly which words to remove - and what to use instead.

What Are Filler Words?

Filler words are terms that add no semantic value to a sentence. They're verbal padding that makes text longer without adding meaning, clarity, or emphasis.

Example:

• With filler (23 words): "I just wanted to say that I'm really very excited to basically announce that we're actually launching next week."
• Without filler (9 words): "I'm excited to announce we're launching next week."

✓ 61% shorter • Same meaning • Stronger impact

Category 1: Intensifiers That Weaken (23 words)

These words claim to add emphasis but actually dilute your message.

| Filler Word | Why It's Weak | Better Alternative |

|-------------|---------------|-------------------|

| very | Overused, vague | Use a stronger adjective |

| really | Adds no value | Remove entirely |

| extremely | Hyperbolic | Use precise adjective |

| incredibly | Overstatement | Be specific |

| absolutely | Redundant | Remove or use "yes" |

| totally | Informal | Remove entirely |

| completely | Usually redundant | Remove if meaning is clear |

| utterly | Archaic intensifier | Use stronger verb |

| quite | Vague qualifier | Be specific |

| rather | Hedging | Remove or be direct |

| somewhat | Weak qualifier | Use precise adjective |

| fairly | Vague | Use exact measurement |

| pretty (as in "pretty good") | Informal | Remove or use "good" |

| so (as intensifier) | Overused | Use stronger adjective |

| such (as intensifier) | Wordy | Remove or rephrase |

| too (as intensifier) | Often unnecessary | Remove if not needed |

| enough (as intensifier) | Can be redundant | Remove if clear |

| particularly | Wordy | Use "especially" or remove |

| especially | Often redundant | Remove if clear |

| significantly | Vague | Use exact percentage |

| substantially | Vague | Use exact measurement |

| considerably | Vague | Be specific |

| remarkably | Overstatement | Use precise adjective |

Examples:

Before: "This is a very good solution that's really effective."

After: "This is an excellent solution." (or "This solution works.")

Before: "We're extremely excited to announce this incredibly important update."

After: "We're excited to announce this important update."

Category 2: Verbal Tics (15 words)

These are spoken language habits that weaken written text.

| Filler Word | Why It's Weak | Better Alternative |

|-------------|---------------|-------------------|

| just | Apologetic, weakens | Remove entirely |

| actually | Implies surprise (unnecessary) | Remove entirely |

| basically | Condescending | Remove or use "essentially" |

| literally | Misused as intensifier | Remove unless literal |

| simply | Often patronizing | Remove or use "only" |

| honestly | Implies you're usually dishonest | Remove entirely |

| frankly | Unnecessary qualifier | Remove entirely |

| clearly | Can sound condescending | Remove or prove it |

| obviously | Condescending | Remove or explain why |

| evidently | Vague | Use "because" + evidence |

| apparently | Uncertain | Be direct or cite source |

| seemingly | Hedging | Be direct or investigate |

| arguably | Weak claim | Make the argument or remove |

| presumably | Uncertain | Verify or remove |

| supposedly | Dismissive | Verify or be direct |

Examples:

Before: "We just wanted to basically say that this is literally the best option."

After: "This is the best option."

Before: "Obviously, this is clearly a good idea."

After: "This is a good idea because [reason]."

Category 3: Wordy Phrases (47 phrases)

These multi-word expressions can be replaced with shorter alternatives.

| Wordy Phrase | Shorter Alternative | Characters Saved |

|--------------|-------------------|------------------|

| in order to | to | 9 |

| due to the fact that | because | 17 |

| at this point in time | now | 17 |

| for the purpose of | to, for | 15 |

| in the event that | if | 15 |

| with regard to | about | 12 |

| with respect to | about | 13 |

| in relation to | about | 11 |

| in connection with | about, with | 15 |

| in terms of | about, for | 8 |

| for the reason that | because | 15 |

| on the grounds that | because | 15 |

| owing to the fact that | because | 19 |

| in light of the fact that | because | 21 |

| despite the fact that | although | 18 |

| regardless of the fact that | although | 25 |

| in spite of the fact that | although | 21 |

| at the present time | now | 16 |

| at the current time | now | 16 |

| at this moment in time | now | 19 |

| in the near future | soon | 15 |

| in the not too distant future | soon | 27 |

| at a later date | later | 11 |

| prior to | before | 5 |

| subsequent to | after | 10 |

| in advance of | before | 10 |

| following the conclusion of | after | 24 |

| during the course of | during | 16 |

| for the duration of | during | 16 |

| in the process of | (remove or use present tense) | 15 |

| in the midst of | during, amid | 11 |

| by means of | by, with | 9 |

| through the use of | using, with | 16 |

| with the exception of | except | 19 |

| on the basis of | based on | 12 |

| on account of | because | 11 |

| as a result of | because | 11 |

| for the most part | mostly | 14 |

| in most cases | usually | 10 |

| in many instances | often | 15 |

| in some cases | sometimes | 10 |

| in a number of cases | sometimes | 17 |

| it is important to note that | note that, (remove) | 25 |

| it should be noted that | note that, (remove) | 19 |

| it is worth noting that | note that, (remove) | 19 |

| it goes without saying that | (remove entirely) | 27 |

| needless to say | (remove entirely) | 15 |

Examples:

Before (87 characters): "In order to improve performance, we need to optimize the code prior to deployment."

After (51 characters): "To improve performance, optimize code before deployment."

✓ 41% shorter

Before (76 characters): "Due to the fact that sales are down, we need to adjust our strategy."

After (48 characters): "Because sales are down, adjust our strategy."

✓ 37% shorter

Category 4: Redundant Pairs (28 pairs)

These word pairs say the same thing twice.

| Redundant Pair | Use Instead | Why It's Redundant |

|----------------|-------------|-------------------|

| each and every | each | "Each" already means "every" |

| first and foremost | first | Saying it twice doesn't add emphasis |

| null and void | void | "Void" means "null" |

| cease and desist | cease | "Cease" means "stop" |

| aid and abet | aid | Legal redundancy |

| peace and quiet | peace | Peace implies quiet |

| hopes and dreams | hopes | Dreams are hopes |

| various and sundry | various | Sundry means various |

| ways and means | ways | Means are ways |

| terms and conditions | terms | (Keep both only in legal context) |

| rules and regulations | rules | Regulations are rules |

| true and accurate | accurate | Accurate implies true |

| full and complete | complete | Complete means full |

| final and conclusive | final | Final means conclusive |

| basic and fundamental | fundamental | Fundamental means basic |

| past history | history | History is always past |

| future plans | plans | Plans are always future |

| end result | result | Results are always at the end |

| final outcome | outcome | Outcomes are final |

| advance warning | warning | Warnings are always advance |

| free gift | gift | Gifts are free by definition |

| new innovation | innovation | Innovations are new |

| added bonus | bonus | Bonuses are added |

| unexpected surprise | surprise | Surprises are unexpected |

| close proximity | proximity | Proximity means close |

| general consensus | consensus | Consensus is general agreement |

| personal opinion | opinion | Opinions are personal |

| exact same | same | Same means exact |

Examples:

Before: "Each and every employee must review the terms and conditions prior to the final outcome."

After: "Each employee must review the terms before the outcome."

Category 5: Hedging Words (18 words)

These words weaken your authority and make you sound uncertain.

| Hedging Word | Why It's Weak | Better Alternative |

|-------------|---------------|-------------------|

| might | Uncertain | Use "may" or "will" |

| maybe | Uncertain | Be direct or investigate |

| perhaps | Uncertain | Be direct or say "possibly" |

| possibly | Weak claim | Verify or remove |

| probably | Uncertain | Verify or use "likely" |

| likely | Still hedging | Be direct if possible |

| seems | Uncertain | Verify or be direct |

| appears | Uncertain | Verify or be direct |

| tends to | Vague | Use data or be specific |

| somewhat | Vague | Use precise adjective |

| sort of | Informal, vague | Be specific |

| kind of | Informal, vague | Be specific |

| a bit | Vague | Use exact measurement |

| a little | Vague | Use exact measurement |

| relatively | Vague | Relative to what? Be specific |

| comparatively | Vague | Compare to what? Be specific |

| generally | Vague | Use "usually" or be specific |

| typically | Vague | Use data or be specific |

Examples:

Before: "This approach might possibly work and seems to be somewhat effective."

After: "This approach works and is effective." (or provide data)

Before: "We're generally seeing relatively good results."

After: "Results improved 23% this quarter."

Category 6: Throat-Clearing Phrases (16 phrases)

These phrases delay your point and waste the reader's time.

| Throat-Clearing Phrase | Better Alternative |

|------------------------|-------------------|

| I just wanted to say that | (Start with your point) |

| I wanted to let you know that | (Start with your point) |

| I think that | (Start with your point or keep for opinion) |

| I believe that | (Start with your point or keep for opinion) |

| In my opinion | (Usually obvious it's your opinion) |

| It seems to me that | (Start with your point) |

| What I mean is | (Say it clearly the first time) |

| The thing is | (Start with your point) |

| The point I'm trying to make is | (Make the point) |

| What I'm trying to say is | (Say it) |

| Let me be clear | (Then be clear) |

| To be honest | (Implies you're usually dishonest) |

| To tell you the truth | (Implies you usually lie) |

| As a matter of fact | (Just state the fact) |

| The fact of the matter is | (State the fact) |

| At the end of the day | (Cliché, remove) |

Examples:

Before: "I just wanted to say that I think we should, to be honest, focus on quality."

After: "We should focus on quality."

How to Use This List

Step 1: Identify Your Worst Offenders

Run your writing through a search for these words. Most writers overuse 5-10 specific filler words.

Step 2: Remove, Don't Replace

Don't replace "very good" with "excellent" if "good" works. Remove first, strengthen second.

Step 3: Read Aloud

Filler words are often verbal tics. Reading aloud helps you hear them.

Step 4: Use Textrim

Textrim automatically removes filler words from your text. Paste your writing, see what gets removed, copy the tightened version.

When Filler Words Are Acceptable

1. Conversational Tone

Blog posts and marketing copy can use some filler for warmth. But limit it to 1-2 per paragraph.

2. Emphasis (Rarely)

"This is literally on fire" (when something is actually burning) is correct usage.

3. Legal Redundancy

"Cease and desist" and "null and void" are legal terms of art. Don't change them in contracts.

4. Softening Bad News

"We might need to delay the launch" is gentler than "We're delaying the launch."

Before & After Examples

Example 1: Professional Email

Before (142 characters):

"I just wanted to basically reach out and say that I'm really very interested in possibly discussing this opportunity at some point soon."

After (52 characters):

"I'm interested in discussing this opportunity soon."

✓ 63% shorter

Example 2: Marketing Copy

Before (178 characters):

"We're extremely excited to actually announce that we're literally launching a very innovative new product that will completely transform the way you think about productivity."

After (89 characters):

"We're excited to announce our innovative product that transforms how you work."

✓ 50% shorter

Example 3: Legal Document

Before (156 characters):

"In the event that the Buyer fails to make payment prior to the due date, the Seller may, at this point in time, terminate the agreement."

After (89 characters):

"If Buyer fails to pay by the due date, Seller may terminate the agreement."

✓ 43% shorter

Conclusion

Removing filler words makes your writing:

• Shorter - 30-50% character reduction
• Stronger - More confident and authoritative
• Clearer - Easier to understand
• Faster to read - Respects your reader's time

Bookmark this list and reference it when editing. Or use Textrim to automatically remove filler words while keeping your exact wording intact.

Printable Checklist

Save this list for quick reference:

Top 20 Filler Words to Remove:

• just
• really
• very
• actually
• basically
• literally
• simply
• quite
• rather
• somewhat
• in order to
• due to the fact that
• at this point in time
• for the purpose of
• in the event that
• with regard to
• it goes without saying
• needless to say
• each and every
• past history

Print this list and keep it next to your desk.