Plain language examples

Plain language examples, word lists, and usage. 

Replace passive voice with active

• The game was won by Denise → Denise won the game
• It was reviewed by the team → The team reviewed it
• If concerns can’t be resolved by your actions → If you can’t resolve concerns
• As required under Section B, Part 5, you must → Section B, Part 5 requires you to
• Funding toward the purchase of your benefits is provided in the form of flex credits → Use flex credits to buy benefits

Activate gerunds

Gerunds are verbs that end in -ing.

• Assessors help with evaluating and setting up workstations → Assessors help evaluate and set up workstations
• This is the most commonly used method of assessing → This is the most common way to assess
• When making decisions on the hiring and retention of → When you decide to hire or retain
• It details procedures for handling → It explains how to handle

Use verbs

• The board has oversight responsibility for → The board oversees
• Submit your application → Apply
• Make a modification → Change
• Directors have the obligation to → Directors are obliged to

Cut unnecessary connectors

• To be able to record → To record
• Interviews are typically done face to face → Interviews are typically face to face
• Surveys are used to assess → Surveys assess
• The work of your colleagues → Your colleagues’ work
• Complete all of the required information → Complete the required information
• You have 60 days to make updates → You have 60 days to update

Avoid noun clusters

• Don't write: The training program evaluation review team will submit its final report in September
• Write: An evaluation of the training program will be available in September

Don’t state the obvious

• Don't write: BC Stats also provides an opportunity to submit written comments at the end of the survey
• Write: BC Stats invites comments at the end

Avoid editorializing

Watch for biased language.

• Don't write: The Work Environment Survey (WES) is a valuable tool used in the BC Public Service to measure employee engagement. It also provides you with an opportunity to contribute confidential feedback about your work environment
• Write: The Work Environment Survey (WES) measures employee engagement. It also lets you give confidential feedback about your work environment

Short sentences

Break two-subject sentences into single-subject sentences.

• Don't write: BC Stats reviews the questionnaire each cycle to ensure questions are valid and reliable, and balances making improvements with maintaining year over year comparability
• Write: BC Stats reviews the questionnaire each cycle to make sure questions are valid and reliable. BC Stats balances improvements with year-to-year comparability

Use the imperative

• You should verify that coverage is effective → Verify that coverage is effective

Avoid redundancy

• Various options → Options
• Are different depending on → Depend on
• And also → And
• Skills and abilities → Skills
• Planning for the future → Planning

Choose the simplest words and phrases

• Accommodation → Housing
• Administer → Do
• Advance planning → Planning
• After this is accomplished → Then
• Assistance, support → Help
• At an early date → Soon
• Communicate with staff → Let staff know
• Gives you the opportunity to → Lets you
• In accordance with → According to, in line with
• In addition to → Plus, and
• In the absence of → Without
• In order to → To
• In the event of → If
• Individual → Person
• Implement → Use
• Is able to → Can
• Method → Way
• Obtain → Get
• Prior to → Before
• Provides you with the opportunity to → Lets you
• Request → Ask
• Require assistance → Get help
• Result in → Cause, make, lead to
• The amount of time that → How long
• To be used in → For
• Within your ability → If you can