Do not heap up empty phrases.
(Matthew 6:7)
- as a matter of fact
- at any rate
- for all intents and purposes
- in a manner of speaking
- in a very real sense
- in my (personal) opinion
- needless to say and it goes without saying
- the point I am trying to make
- what I mean to say is that
- uh, like . . . you know?
More About Cutting the Clutter:
Comments
May I leave #11? “This being said.” Drives me nuts.
As a matter of fact, it seems to me that for all intents and purposes these phrases are in a manner of speaking expressions of avoiding saying what we want to say. The point I am trying to make is that they are cultural expressions. At any rate in my personal opinion, you are probably correct and we must try to avoid them if at all possible. I’ll attempt to follow your advice, but it may be difficult.
It is what it is.