More “Letterese”
Avoid Use
at that point in time then
enclosed kindly find enclosed is
due to the fact that because
in reference to about
in advance of before
subsequent to after
under separate cover by mail
pursuant to your request as requested
at the present time now
with reference about
meet with approval approve
in accordance with as
in the event of if
in the amount of for
in the majority of instances often
in the neighborhood of about
endeavor try
ascertain find out
utilize use
institute start
illumination light
exemplify show
absolutely essential essential
during the time that while
give encouragement to encourage
for the reason that for
encounter meet
beyond a shadow of doubt undoubtedly
exceptional [define with facts]
I am of the opinion I think
of sufficient materiality enough
present a conclusion conclude
range all the way from range from
the undersigned I
the writer I
red in color red
until such time that until
years of age years old
you will find enclosed here is
conflagration fire
From Letterese to Letter-easy
In your text, Lannon describes “letterese” as “tired, stuffy and overblown phrases some writers think they need to make their communications seem important” (427). In the left column you’ll find some classic examples of Letterese – revise them by writing a simpler, clearer “plain-English” way of saying the same thing.
at that point in time ______
enclosed kindly find ______
due to the fact that ______
in reference to ______
in advance of ______
subsequent to ______
pursuant to your request ______
at the present time ______
with reference ______
meet with approval ______
in accordance with ______
in the event of ______
in the amount of ______
in the majority of instances ______
in the neighborhood of ______
endeavor ______
ascertain ______
utilize ______
institute ______