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Plain English

A simpler way to say it.

Clear writing often starts with a small edit. Find a shorter expression, compare the sentences and check that it still says what you mean.

32 alternatives

in order to→to

Before: We met in order to plan the trip.
After: We met to plan the trip.

Keep in order to if you need extra emphasis or the shorter sentence becomes unclear.

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due to the fact that→because

Before: The match stopped due to the fact that it was raining.
After: The match stopped because it was raining.

Because introduces the reason directly.

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at this point in time→now

Before: At this point in time, we have three options.
After: We now have three options.

Move now to wherever it reads most naturally in the sentence.

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in the event that→if

Before: In the event that it rains, we will meet inside.
After: If it rains, we will meet inside.

If is usually enough for an ordinary condition.

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prior to→before

Before: Please arrive prior to the start of the talk.
After: Please arrive before the start of the talk.

Before works for both time and sequence.

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subsequent to→after

Before: The path reopened subsequent to the repairs.
After: The path reopened after the repairs.

This describes sequence; it does not by itself say that one event caused the other.

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with regard to→about

Before: I am writing with regard to your invitation.
After: I am writing about your invitation.

About suits most ordinary emails and letters.

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in relation to→about

Before: She asked a question in relation to the timetable.
After: She asked a question about the timetable.

Keep the longer phrase when you mean a specific relationship or comparison, rather than a topic.

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for the purpose of→to

Before: We gathered for the purpose of choosing a name.
After: We gathered to choose a name.

Change the following verb as well: choosing becomes choose.

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at a later date→later

Before: We will discuss the details at a later date.
After: We will discuss the details later.

Give an actual date instead if the reader needs to know when.

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at present→now

Before: The gallery is closed at present.
After: The gallery is closed now.

Currently is another option, though now is shorter.

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despite the fact that→although

Before: We went out despite the fact that it was cold.
After: We went out although it was cold.

Although introduces a clause. Despite can also be concise before a noun: despite the cold.

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until such time as→until

Before: Keep the key until such time as I return.
After: Keep the key until I return.

The shorter form keeps the same endpoint.

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with the exception of→except

Before: Everyone came with the exception of Ben.
After: Everyone came except Ben.

Except for may fit better in some sentence structures.

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in close proximity to→near

Before: The café is in close proximity to the station.
After: The café is near the station.

Give a distance or walking time if closeness matters to the reader.

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in excess of→more than

Before: The box holds in excess of fifty books.
After: The box holds more than fifty books.

Check whether the number is excluded: more than fifty means above fifty.

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a large number of→many

Before: A large number of visitors stayed for the talk.
After: Many visitors stayed for the talk.

An actual count may be more useful if you have one.

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a small number of→a few

Before: A small number of seats are still available.
After: A few seats are still available.

A few suggests a small positive number. Use an exact number when precision matters.

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in most cases→usually

Before: In most cases, the doors open at nine.
After: The doors usually open at nine.

Both allow exceptions; neither means always.

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on an annual basis→every year

Before: We review the list on an annual basis.
After: We review the list every year.

Annually is equally concise if it suits the surrounding writing.

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on a regular basis→regularly

Before: They meet on a regular basis.
After: They meet regularly.

If you know the frequency, every Tuesday or once a month is more informative.

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in order to be able to→to

Before: Save a copy in order to be able to edit it later.
After: Save a copy to edit it later.

Check that the shorter sentence still makes the intended purpose clear.

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make a decision→decide

Before: We need to make a decision by Friday.
After: We need to decide by Friday.

The longer version can still be useful when the decision itself needs emphasis.

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conduct an investigation→investigate

Before: They will conduct an investigation into the delay.
After: They will investigate the delay.

Investigate takes an object directly here, so remove into.

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provide assistance→help

Before: A volunteer can provide assistance with the form.
After: A volunteer can help with the form.

Help is a straightforward choice in instructions and everyday communication.

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reach an agreement→agree

Before: We hope to reach an agreement on the route.
After: We hope to agree on the route.

Keep agreement when you need to name or describe the agreement itself.

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give consideration to→consider

Before: Please give consideration to the other options.
After: Please consider the other options.

This keeps the request direct without making it less polite.

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have the ability to→can

Before: You have the ability to change the order.
After: You can change the order.

Use the longer form if ability needs to be distinguished from permission.

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sufficient→enough

Before: We have sufficient time to walk.
After: We have enough time to walk.

Word order can change elsewhere: sufficiently warm becomes warm enough.

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commence→start

Before: The performance will commence at seven.
After: The performance will start at seven.

Begin is another familiar choice.

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utilise→use

Before: You can utilise the side entrance.
After: You can use the side entrance.

Use is usually sufficient in everyday writing. The US spelling is utilize.

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endeavour to→try to

Before: We will endeavour to reply tomorrow.
After: We will try to reply tomorrow.

Both describe an attempt, rather than a promise. The US spelling is endeavor.

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Explanations and example sentences written for TopWordsLike. These guides are separate from the WordNet dictionary entries. About these guides