Words not to use
Many words in the English language have more than one meaning which can make them difficult to understand for some users, particularly those with English as a second language.
Use clear and plain language alternatives to avoid confusion. You can also see a list of words to watch.
| Word | Reason or exception | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Assist | There are simpler alternatives | help / ease / encourage / promote |
| Commence | There are simpler alternatives | Start / begin |
| Deliver | Unless you are delivering a pizza or a letter, be more specific to the context you are writing about. | Make / create / provide / achieve |
| Deploy | Unless you are referring to the military, be more specific to the context you are writing about. | Build / create / put into place |
| Dialogue | Be clearer and use simpler terms | Spoke to / discussion |
| Disincentivise | Use simpler terms to fit your context | Discourage / deter |
| Documentation | Alternative is shorter and means the same thing | Document |
| Eg or e.g | Spell the word out fully | For example |
| Empower | Unless you are talking about inspiring someone, there are simpler alternatives | Allow / give permission |
| Etc | Etc would not be read properly by a screen reader. The alternative word you choose will depend on the context of the sentence you are writing. | Including / such as / like |
| Facilitate | Use the simplest word that fits your context | Help / run / provide / enable / encourage / simplify |
| Foster | Unless you are referring to fostering children | Encourage / help / look after |
| Garnered | Has simpler alternatives that are easier to understand in most contexts | Collect / gather / assemble |
| Guidance | Alternative is shorter and means the same thing | Guide or guides |
| Ie or I.e | Spell the word out fully | That is |
| Impact | Only use impact if you are writing about a crash | Have an effect on / influence / encourage / motivate |
| Incentivise | There are simpler alternatives | Encourage / motivate |
| Initiate | There are simpler alternatives | Start / begin |
| Key | Unless talking about unlocking something | Important / significant / critical |
| Land | Unless you are talking about the Earth’s surface (land and sea) or landing aircraft, there are simpler alternatives | Achieve |
| Leverage | Unless using in a financial sense, there are simpler alternatives | Influence / use |
| Liaise | Use the simplest word for your context | Work with / work alongside / talk to |
| Robust | Unless talking about a sturdy object, use a simpler term for the context | Well thought out / comprehensive |
| Slim down | Not all users will understand this metaphor | Make smaller / reduce size |
| Streamline | Not all users will understand this metaphor | Simplify / reduce / remove unnecessary administration |
| Tackle | Use the simplest word for your context | Stop / solve / deal with |
| Utilise | Use the simplest word for your context | Use |
| Vehicle | Vehicle’ should only be used if we’re talking about cars, buses, vans and other types of travel | Method / approach / technique |
| Via | It’s a latin word meaning ‘road’. Use simpler words to fit your context. | Through / using / by |
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Glossary
Find explanations for common terms and abbreviations used in public procurement.