Clear English
Clear English is easier for everyone to understand
Using Clear English
Clear English is simple, concise and jargon-free language which can be understood by someone who:
- has a low reading age
- is not fluent in English.
Clear English alternative word list
| avoid | use |
|---|---|
| along the lines of | like |
| as to | about |
| at an early date | soon |
| is in a position to | can |
| during such time that | while |
| first of all | first |
| in relation to | about, for or with |
| in the amount of | for |
| until such time as | until |
| additional | extra or more |
| advise | tell |
| assistance | help |
| at this moment in time | now |
| commence | start |
| consequently | so |
| forward (an email) | send |
| in respect of | for |
| obtain | get |
| residence | house |
| utilise | use |
Readability checklist
- Use the active tense. For example:
Active “Please respond to this consultation by 5 February.”
Passive “Responses to this consultation should be made by 5 February.”
- Use simple vocabulary, for example ‘so’ instead of ‘therefore’.
- Keep sentences short.
- Use simple sentence structures.
- Present information in several ways, particularly in long documents. For example:
- flow charts to explain procedures
- images and graphics to locate information.
Explore
Page last reviewed: 04 November 2010
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