Bad Words
Sometimes, it helps to have suggestions when you're experimenting with something new. Here are some of the longer or less-common words and phrases we'd like writers to avoid and suggested words and phrases that can replace them.
| Instead of... | Please use... |
|---|---|
| acquire | buy, get |
| additional | more, extra |
| aforementioned | previously mentioned (or edit out) |
| allocate | divide, share, add, give |
| alternative | choice, other |
| alternatively | or, on the other hand |
| at the moment | now (or edit out) |
| at the present time | now (or edit out) |
| attempt | try |
| attend | go to |
| attributable to | because of |
| authorize | allow, let |
| authority | right, power |
| beneficial | helpful, useful |
| breach | break |
| communicate | talk, write, telephone (be specific) |
| competent | able, can |
| component | part |
| comprises | is made up of, includes |
| demonstrate | show, prove |
| denote | show |
| determine | decide, work out, set, end |
| detrimental | harmful, damaging |
| discuss | talk about |
| disseminate | spread |
| documentation | papers, documents |
| (for the) duration of | during, while |
| emphasize | stress |
| empower | allow, let |
| enable | allow |
| enclosed | inside, with |
| encounter | meet |
| endeavour | try |
| ensure | make sure |
| expedite | hurry, speed up |
| expeditiously | as soon as possible, quickly |
| expenditure | spending |
| expire | run out |
| facilitate | make easier, help |
| following | after |
| formulate | plan, devise |
| henceforth | from now on, from today |
| hereby | now, by this (or edit out) |
| immediately | at once, now |
| implement | carry out, do |
| initially | at first |
| inquire | ask |
| inquiry | question |
| (it is) mandatory | (you) must |
| negligible | very small |
| nevertheless | but, however, even so |
| notify | tell, let us (you) know |
| notwithstanding | even if, despite, still, yet |
| numerous | many (or say how many) |
| obtain | get |
| portion | part |
| prior to | before |
| proceed | go ahead |
| procure | get, obtain, arrange |
| prohibit | ban, stop |
| provide | give |
| (for the) purpose of | to, for |
| (for the) reason that | because |
| regarding | about, on |
| regulation | rule |
| reimburse | repay, pay back |
| remainder | the rest, what is left |
| remittance | payment |
| remuneration | pay, wages, salary |
| render | make, give, send |
| report | tell |
| represents | shows, stands for, is |
| request | ask, question |
| require | need, want, force |
| requirements | needs, rules |
| subject to | depending on, under, keeping to |
| submit | send, give |
| sufficient | enough |
| supplement | go with, add to |
| to date | so far, up to now |
| to the extent that | if, when |
| undersigned | I, we |
| undertake | agree, promise, do |
| utilize | use |