Simplified Public Sector English

• Use short, familiar words over longer or more formal ones. 
• Be cautious with words ending in "-ion" and "-ment" — a plainer word often exists and reads faster. 
• Avoid idioms, phrasal verbs, jargon, slang, rhetorical questions, and sarcasm. State the underlying point plainly. 
• Use one term per concept, and use it consistently. Don't switch between synonyms for the same thing partway through a document. 
• Match the strength of the word to the strength of the requirement: "must" for a legal requirement, "need to" for an administrative step, "can" for something optional. 

Instead of: This document sets out the requisite steps to facilitate a smooth transition. 

Write: This document sets out the steps you need to take for a smooth handover. 

Common word swaps 

These are some of the most frequent swaps. The companion words-to-avoid file has the full list: