Are filter words weakening your writing?

If you’ve taken a writing class or read a craft book, you’ve probably been told to eliminate or minimise ‘filter words’. But what are they and how do they affect your writing? More importantly, is it ever okay to use them?

In this article, I’ll take a look at common filter words and why they can weaken your writing. I’ll also show you how to correct them and when they might actually be useful.

 

What are filter words?

Filter words are usually verbs or phrases that show the world through a character’s eyes. They’re commonly used in fiction, but you’ll also find them in creative non-fiction such as memoirs and true crime.

Filter words are often sensory or cognitive. In other words, they relate to a character’s senses or thought patterns. Most importantly, they tell the reader what is happening rather than showing it. Here is a list of common filter words:

• I felt

• I heard

• I saw

• I smelled

• I tasted

• It seemed

• I noticed

• I thought

• I wondered

• I remembered

• I recognised

• I believed

• I decided 

• I became aware

• I was able to

I’ve used the first person here (because filter words are common in this perspective), but they can also appear in third person (e.g. ‘He thought …’, ‘She remembered …’).

 

Why should you avoid them?

You might think there’s nothing wrong with these words – and there isn’t. They have their place. But when you’re trying to build tension or set a scene, filter words can work against you. Here’s how:

• They create distance: When you tell readers what someone is feeling or seeing or thinking, it creates a barrier or ‘filter’. In other words, they’re not allowed to experience it or figure it out for themselves. Readers want to feel immersed or identify with the characters – and filter words break that spell.

  
  

• They weaken the impact of a scene. Most filter words aren’t strong. Feel. Think. Realise. They’re not particularly descriptive, are they? This can make your scenes flat, leaving readers disconnected or bored.

  
  

• They make your sentences wordy. Using filter words can make your sentences unnecessarily long and hard for readers to process. Plus, many filter words tend to be abstract, which makes them harder to visualise or connect with.

 

How to correct filter words

 

Filter words are a common pitfall, particularly with first-time authors (although more experienced writers can fall into this trap too). It’s not surprising. We use filter words all the time when we talk – it’s second nature. But in writing, it can have an alienating effect.

So how do you fix it? The easiest way is to use Find/Replace and look up some of the words in the list above. This is best done during the self-editing phase.

If you find numerous examples, remove most of them or recast the sentence. Is it more immersive? Does it increase the pace? Is it easier to read?

Here are some examples:

• Before (with filter words): I realised he was toying with me.

  After (without filter words): He was toying with me.

  
  

• Before (with filter words): I noticed that the sculpture was gone.

  After (without filter words): The sculpture was gone.

  
  

• Before (with filter words): I became aware that he was no longer crying.

  After (without filter words): He was no longer crying.

  
  

• Before (with filter words): I wondered if he was capable of doing it.

  After (without filter words): Was he capable of doing it?

  
  

• Before (with filter words): I was able to change the lightbulb.

  After (without filter words): I changed the lightbulb.

  
  

• Before (with filter words): I felt sad when I saw her.

  After (without filter words): I fought back tears when I saw her.

  
  

• Before (with filter words): It tasted sour.

  After (without filter words): My mouth puckered.

In many cases, filter words can be excised without affecting the meaning of the sentence. In others, you may have to recast the sentence to make it more descriptive. Notice how the last four sentences (which have been recast) are more immediate and visceral – particularly the last one!

 

When are filter words okay?

Some editors or writing coaches tell you to eliminate all filter words. This isn’t always realistic, or appropriate. When I’m editing, I try to minimise them so readers can stay immersed. But I don’t flag all of them. Here’s why:

• Most books show and tell. Contrary to popular opinion, you may need exposition to quickly explain something before moving on to the next scene, so filter words can be useful in this context.

  
  

• If you want to slow down the reader, filter words can create distance and help you vary the pacing and momentum – or even achieve a particular rhythm.

  
  

• In some scenes, filter words can add clarity. Maybe a character didn’t notice or realise something, so filters can clarify this.

  
  

• If a book includes different points of view, filter words like ‘Timothy thought’ or ‘Salma heard’ can remind readers whose viewpoint it is.

Final thoughts: Are filter words weakening your writing?

Filter words are often overused by writers, which is why they’re flagged by editors or writing teachers. Not only do they make your writing unnecessarily wordy, but they also announce what someone is

thinking or seeing, which can make it harder for readers to stay immersed.

When you’re revising your work, look out for filter words and figure out if they help or hinder the story. More often than not, they slow down the pace and create distance, so try to recast them (see my examples above). But remember, just because it’s a ‘rule’ doesn’t mean it should be applied every time. Some scenes require filter words for clarity or a change in momentum, so don’t go too hard!

Looking for a non-fiction book editor to sharpen your writing and remove niggly errors (including unnecessary filter words)? Get in touch via my contact page or request a sample edit.