策略之一：刪除諸如"who is”或"that is"之類的關(guān)系代詞，變從句為短語。例：

　　原句：The novel, which is written in three parts, told a story that took place in the Middle Ages。

　　修改后：The three-part novel told a story set in the Middle Ages。

　　注：把句中的"three parts"改用形容詞來表達(dá)，節(jié)省了四個(gè)不必要的單詞"which is written in"。我們經(jīng)常可以將關(guān)系代詞如"that"去掉，這只會引起最少的變動。

　　策略之二：用介詞短語替代從句。例：

　　原句：While they were playing tennis, she started an argument that lasted all morning。

　　修改后：During tennis she started an argument that lasted all morning。

　　原句：When you come to the second traffic light, turn right。

　　修改后：At the second traffic light turn left。

　　策略之三：剔除你不需要的單詞。例：

　　Two joint partners will present their views over a long-distance telephone call。

　　寫完這樣的句子后，你自己再讀一遍，挑出單詞"joint"和"telephone"，注意刪去不必要的詞。