The choice of words is an important step in plain language. For the recipient to understand the message, the language must be familiar and understandable. This section therefore offers suggestions for simplifying vocabulary.
| Instead of... | Use... |
|---|---|
| • Aggregate | • Total |
| • Assistance | • Help |
| • Cognizance | • Knowledge |
| • Commitment | • Promise |
| • Compensation | • Pay, wages, fee, salary |
| • Consequence | • Result |
| • Employment | • Work |
| • Expiration | • End |
| • Input | • Comments, opinion |
| • Locality | • Place |
| • Modification | • Change |
| • Objective | • Aim, goal |
| • Obligation | • Debt |
| • Output | • Product |
| • Parameter | • Boundary, limit |
| • Personnel | • Staff |
| • Portion | • Part |
| • Residence | • Home |
| Instead of... | Use... |
|---|---|
| • Accomplish | • Do |
| • Accumulate | • Gather |
| • Acquire | • Get |
| • Activate | • Begin, start |
| • Cease | • Stop, end |
| • Conceal | • Hide |
| • Contribute | • Give |
| • Demonstrate | • Show |
| • Disseminate | • Send, distribute |
| • Effectuate | • Bring about, carry out |
| • Elect | • Choose, pick |
| • Implement | • Carry out |
| • Inquire | • Ask, question |
| • Necessitate | • Make necessary, call for |
| • Strategize | • Plan |
| • Summon | • Send for, call |