List of plain English words and phrases

This is a list of plain English words and phrases and the longer, more cumbersome words they can replace. The problem word is listed first; the plain English alternative follows.
Plain English (or plain language) is communication in English that emphasizes clarity and brevity, and avoids technical language—particularly in official government or business communication. It uses simple, familiar words instead of lengthy, formal words, avoids jargon, prefers positive words to negative words, and prefers strong verbs to .
A
*above-mentioned, above-listed, before-mentioned, aforementioned - (omit)
*abundance - enough, plenty, (or specific amount)
*accede to - allow, agree to
*accelerate - speed up
*accentuate - stress
*accommodation - room
*accompany - go with, with
*accomplish - do
*accorded - given
*accordingly - thus, so
*accrue - add, gain
*accurate - right
*acquiesce - agree
*acquire - get
*additional - extra
*and/or - use either "and" or "or."
*anticipate - expect
*a number of - some
*applicant - you
*appreciable - many
*appropriate - proper, right
*approximate - about
*arrive onboard - arrive
*as a means of - to
*ascertain - find out, learn
*as per our telephone conversation of this date - as we discussed this afternoon
*as prescribed by - in, under
*as far as ... is concerned - (omit)
*as to- of, on, with, for, to, by, in, into
*as yet, as of yet - yet
*assist, assistance - help
*attributable to - because
*at your earliest convenience - as soon as you can
*beg - ask
*clearly, obviously - (omit)
*close proximity - near
*combat environment - combat
*combined - joint
*commence - begin or start
*comply with - follow
*does not include - excludes, omits
*during the period, during the time that - during, while
*each...apiece - each
*elucidate - explain
*emphasize - stress
*employ - use
*enclosed please find - I have enclosed
*enquiry - question
*ensure - make sure
*equipments - equipment
*equitable - fair
*equivalent - equal
*establish - set up, prove, show
*evaluate - test, check
*evidenced - showed
*evident - (omit), clear
*evince - show, prove
*excluding - except
*exclusively - only
*exhibit - show
*expedite - hurry
*first(ly), second(ly), third(ly) - first, second, third
*first and foremost - first
*flora - plants
*following - after
*for a period of - for
*has a requirement for - needs
*herein, heretofore, herewith, thereof, wherefore, wherein -(omit)
*honest truth - truth
*however - but, yet
I
*identical - same
*identify -find, name
*identify with -agree, understand
*if and when - use either word; not both
*immediately - at once
*impacted - affected,changed
*implement - carry out, start
*in accordance with - by, under
*in an effort to - to
*inasmuch - since
*in terms of -(omit)
*interpose no objection - don't object
*in the amount of - for
*in the case of - when
*is applicable to - applies to
*is authorized to - may
*is in consonance with - agrees with, follows
*is responsible for - (omit) handles
*it appears - seems
*it is - (omit)
*it is essential - must, need to
*it is requested - please, we request, I request
*it is important to add that, in this regard it is of significance that, it may be recalled that, it is interesting to point out that - (omit)
*last will and testament - will
M
*magnitude - size
*maintain - keep, support
*majority - most (except for voting)
*make a mockery of - (omit)
*make an attempt, make an effort - try
*make reference to - refer
*maximum - greatest, largest, most
*mental attitude - attitude
*merge - combine
*methodology - method
*minimize - decrease
*minimum - least, smallest
*modify - change
*monitor - check, watch
*month + of + year - March 2013
*moreover - what's more
*multiple - many
N
*nature, of a - (omit)
*necessitate - cause, need
*nevertheless - still, besides, even so
*null and void - use either "null" or "void"
*numerous - many
*off of - off
*on request - if you ask
*on the other hand - (omit);
*...out (calculate, cancel, distribute, segregate, separate) - omit
*outside of - outside
*overall (unless it means the garment) - (omit)
* - oversee
*owing to the fact that - because, since
*participate - take part
*particulars - details
*perform - do
*permit - let
*pertaining to - about, of, on
*perspire - sweat
*place - put
*potentiality - potential
*practicable - practical
*preclude - prevent
*preowned - used
*preliminary to, previous to, previously, prior to - before
*provide guidance for - guide
*purchase - buy
*pursuant to - by, following, per, under; in response to, in carrying out, as required by
*refer back - refer
*reflect - say, show
*regard as being - regard as
*regarding - about, of, on
*respectively - (omit)
*retain - keep
*retire - go to bed
*selection - choice
*separate - After a number, this word is often unnecessary.
*set forth in - in
*shall - must
*subject - the, this, your
*submit - give, send
*subsequent, subsequently, subsequent to - later, next, after, then
*took advantage of - preyed
*transpire (unless referring to plant transpiration) - happen
*very - (omit)
*viable - practical, workable
W
*warrant - call for, permit
*we are in receipt of - we've received
*with a view to - by, from<ref name="auto18"/>
*with reference to, with regard to - about<ref name="auto18"/>
*with respect to - on, about<ref name="auto18"/>
*with the exception of - except for
*with the minimum of delay - quickly (or say when)
*witnessed - saw
Y
*you are requested - please
*your attention is drawn - please see, please note
*your office - you
Symbols
*/ (slash) - and/or