Avoid stuffy language and use familiar words instead.
Posted: January 24th, 2013 | Author: mariebuckley | Filed under: Editing, Plain English: Tips | Tags: legal writing, legal writing coach, legal writing techniques, legal writing training, plain English, strong writing techniques | 1 Comment »Avoid stuffy, academic language. Use familiar, concrete words instead. Here are some plain English alternatives to some common stuffy phrases.
| In all likelihood | likely, probably |
| Let me offer an explanation of the cause. | Let me explain why. |
| statement for professional services | bill |
| Enclosed please find. . . . | I have enclosed . . . . |
| presently | soon, now |
| Pursuant to our conversation . . . . | As we discussed . . . . |
| Per your request . . . . | As you asked . . . . |
| I am of the mind that . . . . | EEEEEEK! (There is no cure – just delete it.) |
| Signage | sign |
| Of particular import to this issue . . . . | In particular, |
| He was aware that . . . . | He knew that . . . . |
| He shall have the ability to . . . . | He can . . . . |
So how stuffy are your words?
-Marie
P.S. My book, The Lawyer’s Essential Guide to Writing: Proven Tools and Techniques has hardly any stuffy words.
[…] threw up an excellent post from the blog ‘A lawyer’s guide to writing’, titled ‘Avoid stuffy language and use real words instead’.) Well done Marie […]