“Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it.”
Overview
Plain language is:
- brief
- easy to understand
- written for your audience, not for you
Plain language helps the average to professional user consume online content quicker. It helps users find what they are looking for and understand what they need to do. It saves people time, makes content more accessible and increases brand reputation.
Plain language tips
See also the Web writing style guide for detailed guidance on writing style (voice and tone), page structure, formatting, punctuation and preferred terms to use on Alberta.ca.
Simplify your language
| Instead of: | Use this: |
|---|---|
| accommodation | housing |
| administer | do |
| after this is accomplished | then |
| and also | and |
| assistance, support | help |
| at an early date | soon |
| communicate with staff | let staff know |
| gives you the opportunity to | let’s you |
| in accordance with | according to, in line with, following |
| in addition to | plus, and |
| in the absence of | without |
| in order to | to |
| in the event of | if |
| individual | person, you |
| is/are able to | can |
| method | way |
| obtain | get |
| prior to | before |
| provides you with the opportunity to | let’s you |
| request | ask |
| require assistance | get help |
| result in | cause, make, lead to |
| required | must |
| the amount of time that | how long |
| utilize, implement | use |
| various options | options |
Shorten sentences
| Original version | Suggested revision |
|---|---|
| There are numerous organizations engaged in this process. | Many organizations are involved. |
| The photo supplied is to be in a digital format (jpg or png) with the full name of the applicant as the name of the file. Remit by email to programarea@gov.ab.ca. | The photo must be in jpg or png format, with the applicant’s full name as the file. Email to programarea@gov.ab.ca. |
| A cemetery will not consent to the opening of a grave site without a permit. | You need a permit to open a grave site on a cemetery. |
| When in the process of freeing a vehicle that has been stuck results in ruts or holes, the operator will fill the rut or hole created by such activity before removing the vehicle from the immediate area. | If you make a hole while freeing a stuck vehicle, you must fill the hole before you drive away. |
| It is your responsibility to make sure that all of the information on any form submitted to a registry agent is truthful, correct and accurate. | Ensure the information on the forms is accurate. |
| Put your cancellation request in writing and submit it by mail to the registry agent of your choice. | Write a cancellation request and mail it to a registry agent. |
| The minor has witnessed the commission of the eligible offence or the immediate aftermath of the eligible offence first-hand by being physically in attendance and in proximity to the commission of the violent crime. | The minor witnessed the start or immediate aftermath of the crime first-hand. |
| The registration of a condominium plan, which for the purposes of the Municipal Government Act and the Land Titles Act is a plan of subdivision, has the effect of cancelling the certificate of title to the parcel described in the plan except as to the mines and minerals, and causing the issuance of a separate certificate of title for each unit described in the plan. | Registering a condominium plan cancels the existing land title certificate (except for mines and minerals) and new certificates are given to each unit described in the plan. |
Resources
- Plain Language Guide – Province of B.C. guidelines and tips for writing in plain language.
- Plainlanguage.gov – Checklists and additional writing tools.
- Hemingway App – Highlights lengthy, complex sentences and common errors.
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