Friday, June 20, 2008

Simple Words and Phrases

Following are words common in legal writing and their simpler alternatives. Although some law professors and bar examiners may still be impressed with a bit of complex legal writing, I have always tried to use plain language in answering exam questions or writing legal documents; unless of course if a specific complex word has a special meaning under the law. Still, the key is to pitch your style at the right level--that is, keep your writing clear and relevant.


INSTEAD OF

TRY

a and/or b

a or b or both

accordingly

so

additional

added, more, other

adjacent to

next to

afford an opportunity

allow, let

apparent

clear, plain

appropriate

(omit), proper, right

as a means of

to

as prescribed by

in, under

by means of

by, with

capability

ability

caveat

warning

comply with

follow

concerning

about on

consequently

so

constitutes

is, forms, makes up

contains

has

convene

meet

demonstrate

prove, show

designate

appoint, choose, name

due to the fact that

due to, since

endeavor

try

equitable

fair

establish

set up, prove, show

evidenced

showed

evident

clear

exhibit

show

for a period of

for

forward

send

frequently

often

furnish

give, send

heretofore

until now

however

but

identical

same

in accordance with

by, following, per, under

in addition

also, besides, too

inception

start

incumbent upon

must

inter alia

(omit)

interpose no objection

don’t object

in the amount of

for

in the event of

if

in the process of

(omit)

is applicable to

applies to

is authorized to

may

is in consonance with

agrees with, follows

modify

change

necessitate

cause, need

not later than 10 May

by May 10, before 11 May

notwithstanding

inspite of, still

numerous

many

obligate

bind, compel

pertaining to

about, of, on

practicable

practical

preclude

prevent

prior to

before

pursuant to

by, following, per, under

regarding

about, of, on

relative to

about, on

remuneration

pay, payment

render

give, make

request

ask

retain

keep

set forth in

in

similar to

like

subsequent

later, next

sufficient

enough

terminate

end, stop

therefore

so

therein

there

under the provisions of

under

until such time as

until


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