Use simple words and phrases
When you’re making word choices, pick the familiar or commonly used word over the unusual or obscure. There are many lists of complex words and suggested substitutes, like the one below. See also the lists in Kimble (2006).
Bold marks the dirty dozen, the 12 offenders most likely to weaken your work.
Don’t say | Say |
---|---|
a and/or b | a or b or both |
accompany | go with |
accomplish | carry out, do |
accorded | given |
accordingly | so |
accrue | add, gain |
accurate | correct, exact, right |
additional | added, more, other |
address | discuss |
addressees | you |
addressees are requested | (omit), please |
adjacent to | next to |
advantageous | helpful |
adversely impact on | hurt, set back |
advise | recommend, tell |
afford an opportunity | allow, let |
aircraft | plane |
allocate | divide |
anticipate | expect |
a number of | some |
apparent | clear, plain |
appreciable | many |
appropriate | (omit), proper, right |
approximate | about |
arrive onboard | arrive |
as a means of | to |
ascertain | find out, learn |
as prescribed by | in, under |
assist, assistance | aid, help |
attain | meet |
attempt | try |
at the present time | at present, now |
be advised | (omit) |
benefit | help |
by means of | by, with |
capability | ability |
caveat | warning |
close proximity | near |
combat environment | combat |
combined | joint |
commence | begin, start |
comply with | follow |
component | part |
comprise | form, include, make up |
concerning | about, on |
consequently | so |
consolidate | combine, join, merge |
constitutes | is, forms, makes up |
contains | has |
convene | meet |
currently | (omit), now |
deem | believe, consider, think |
delete | cut, drop |
demonstrate | prove, show |
depart | leave |
designate | appoint, choose, name |
desire | want, wish |
determine | decide, figure, find |
disclose | show |
discontinue | drop, stop |
disseminate | give, issue, pass, send |
due to the fact that | due to, since |
during the period | during |
effect modifications | make changes |
elect | choose, pick |
eliminate | cut, drop, end |
employ | use |
encounter | meet |
endeavor | try |
ensure | make sure |
enumerate | count |
equipments | equipment |
equitable | fair |
establish | set up, prove, show |
evidenced | showed |
evident | clear |
exhibit | show |
expedite | hasten, speed up |
expeditious | fast, quick |
expend | spend |
expertise | ability |
expiration | end |
facilitate | ease, help |
failed to | didn’t |
feasible | can be done, workable |
females | women |
finalize | complete, finish |
for a period of | for |
for example,______etc. | for example, such as |
forfeit | give up, lose |
forward | send |
frequently | often |
function | act, role, work |
furnish | give, send |
has a requirement for | needs |
herein | here |
heretofore | until now |
herewith | below, here |
however | but |
identical | same |
identify | find, name, show |
immediately | at once |
impacted | affected, changed |
implement | carry out, start |
in accordance with | by, following, per, under |
in addition | also, besides, too |
in an effort to | to |
inasmuch as | since |
in a timely manner | on time, promptly |
inception | start |
incumbent upon | must |
indicate | show, write down |
indication | sign |
initial | first |
initiate | start |
in lieu of | instead |
in order that | for, so |
in order to | to |
in regard to | about, concerning, on |
in relation to | about, with, to |
inter alia | (omit) |
interface | meet, work with |
interpose no objection | don’t object |
in the amount of | for |
in the event of | if |
in the near future | shortly, soon |
in the process of | (omit) |
in view of | since |
in view of the above | so |
is applicable to | applies to |
is authorized to | may |
is in consonance with | agrees with, follows |
is responsible for | (omit) handles |
it appears | seems |
it is | (omit) |
it is essential | must, need to |
it is requested | please, we request, I request |
liaison | discussion |
limited number | limits |
magnitude | size |
maintain | keep, support |
maximum | greatest, largest, most |
methodology | method |
minimize | decrease, method |
minimum | least, smallest |
modify | change |
monitor | check, watch |
necessitate | cause, need |
notify | let know, tell |
not later than 10 May | by 10 May, before 11 May |
not later than 1600 | by 1600 |
notwithstanding | inspite of, still |
numerous | many |
objective | aim, goal |
obligate | bind, compel |
observe | see |
on a regular basis | (omit) |
operate | run, use, work |
optimum | best, greatest, most |
option | choice, way |
parameters | limits |
participate | take part |
perform | do |
permit | let |
pertaining to | about, of, on |
portion | part |
possess | have, own |
practicable | practical |
preclude | prevent |
previous | earlier |
previously | before |
prioritize | rank |
prior to | before |
proceed | do, go ahead, try |
procure | (omit) |
proficiency | skill |
promulgate | issue, publish |
provide | give, offer, say |
provided that | if |
provides guidance for | guides |
purchase | buy |
pursuant to | by, following, per, under |
reflect | say, show |
regarding | about, of, on |
relative to | about, on |
relocate | move |
remain | stay |
remainder | rest |
remuneration | pay, payment |
render | give, make |
represents | is |
request | ask |
require | must, need |
requirement | need |
reside | live |
retain | keep |
said, some, such | the, this, that |
selection | choice |
set forth in | in |
similar to | like |
solicit | ask for, request |
state-of-the-art | latest |
subject | the, this, your |
submit | give, send |
subsequent | later, next |
subsequently | after, later, then |
substantial | large, much |
successfully complete | complete, pass |
sufficient | enough |
take action to | (omit) |
terminate | end, stop |
the month of | (omit) |
there are | (omit) |
therefore | so |
therein | there |
there is | (omit) |
thereof | its, their |
the undersigned | I |
the use of | (omit) |
this activity, command | us, we |
timely | prompt |
time period | (either one) |
transmit | send |
type | (omit) |
under the provisions of | under |
until such time as | until |
utilize, utilization | use |
validate | confirm |
viable | practical, workable |
vice | instead of, versus |
warrant | call for, permit |
whereas | because, since |
with reference to | about |
with the exception of | except for |
witnessed | saw |
your office | you |
/ (slash) | and, or |