STYLE Expletives

Writing Vigorous writing is concise! Style guidelines ensure vigorous, concise writing: (for literary analysis essays) Use third person pronouns. Avoid first person references--certain exceptions apply.) NO! I think that birds of prey represent Macbeth. YES! Birds of prey represent Macbeth. (for all other writing) Use specific, active verbs—avoid expletives. Use active voice constructions

Expletives Definition: filler words; take up unnecessary space Formula: There or It followed by a form of the verb to be (be, is, am, are, was, were, been, being) Ex. There are, there were, there was, there will be, there has been, etc. Ex. It is, it was, it will be, it has been, etc. Often appear at the beginnings of sentences—Watch out!

Revising Expletives Example: There were thirty students in my room. Find the real subject and place at the beginning of the clause. Revision: Thirty students were in my room. Problem: A form of the verb “to be” is still the main verb—still shows nothing specific—only says they existed there. Rid the sentence of its main “to be” verb (can use forms of “to be” as auxiliaries/helping verbs) Surgery: Thirty students in my room.

Removing Expletives Surgery: Thirty students in my room. Fill in the blank! Replace the main to be verb with an action verb that says specifically what you want to communicate. Use POWER VERBS!

Expletive Revision There was thunder in the distance. To Revise— Find the true subject of the sentence: thunder Give it a specific action verb. The thunder _________________ . rumbled, roared, ended, rattled, whispered, clashed, banged, rolled, erupted, etc. * “There was” covers all of the above but says none of them specifically!*

Voice Definition: the relationship between the subject and verb in a sentence. Active Voice: when the subject performs the action of the verb Ex. John drove the car. Ex. John is driving the car.