所謂的虛字就是一些「填充字」(filler words)。

例如 There are, it is 等等

 

在論文寫作上，習慣上會使用虛字結構的句子，使用被動語態來描述

因為傳統上認為，不要用自己當主詞，會讓文章看起來比較客觀

 

但是現在的論文寫作觀念已經改了，過分使用虛字會讓文章變得冗長。

 

讓我們看看以下範例，你就會發現有些虛字的使用真的沒有必要：

範例一：

There are several advantages to buying a Eurailpass.

Buying a Europass offers several advantages.

 

範例二：

There are numerous travel agencies that exist throughout the world.

Numerous travel agencies exist throughout the world.

 

範例三：

There are going to be certain parts of your garden that are your facorites for summertime relaxing and entertaining.

Certain parts of your garden will be your facorites for summertime relaxing and entertaining.