1. Never use a long word where a short one will do.

2. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

3. Never use the passive where you can use the active.

4. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

I am pleased to make your acquaintance.

Instead of:

I’m pleased to meet you.

Write:

What I want to say to you is that you are fat.

Instead of:

You are fat.

Write:

The thing is that we really don’t have enough money.

Instead of:

We don’t have enough money.

Write:

These slides were prepared by me.

Instead of:

I made these slides.

Write:

*See English Language 09 for more information about passive and active voice.

George Orwell was an author. He believed that people with political power use complicated and vague language to control people’s ideas. Orwell said that everyone should try to use clear, simple language to help each other understand.

Hans Anderson 2007-Present: Lecturer at FPT Greenwich

Programmes, FPT University. 2007: M.S., Computational Mathematics,

University of Minnesota 2001: B.A., Computer Science, Gustavus

Adolphus College, Saint Peter, MN