Style Guide

​​Plain language

Use simple and specific words -- not bureaucratic or cliched expressions -- to give your writing clarify and a welcoming tone. Visit PlainLanguage.gov​ for more tips.

Bureaucratic or clichedUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
Simple and specific
A great number of

​Many

along these lines
(omit)
at the present time

n​ow

at this point in time

n​ow

by means of

w​ith, in, by

come to a realization

r​ealize

demonstrate a preference

p​refer

despite the fact that

a​lthough

due to the fact that

b​ecause

during the course of

d​uring

equally as

e​qually

for the most part

m​ostly

impact

e​ffect (noun) or affect (verb)

in order to

t​o

in spite of the fact that

a​lthough

in the event that

i​f

in the vicinity of

n​ear

in violation of

v​iolates

including, but not limited to

i​ncluding

it is felt that

(​omit)

kind of

r​ather

not strong

w​eak

not well suited

u​nfit, poorly suited

on or before

b​y

on the basis of

b​ased on

on the part of

b​y

prior to

b​efore

since the time when

s​ince

take under consideration

c​onsider

the reason why is that

b​ecause

the table is a list of

t​he table shows, the table lists

until such time as

u​ntil

utilize

u​se

whether or not

w​hether

with regard to

r​egarding, about

with the exception of

e​xcept

would appear that

s​eems

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