Sometimes we need jargons, complicated language and excessive use of difficult words; in other words, we need Gobbledygook. But, most times we don’t. Gobbledygook only hurts the clarity of our writing. An emphasis on clarity does not mean, though, that you should limit yourself to three-letter words; but use familiar, everyday words wherever possible.
You will have to start with avoiding the use of obscure words that most readers won’t recognise. If you have to look up a word in the dictionary, it’s safe to assume many of your readers will need to look it up too. Most won’t bother, so you may lose a large segment of your audience before they turn the page.
In order to use concrete words familiar to most readers and that have clear meanings, you may refer to the table below and use the suggested alternatives in place of a gobbledygook.
Gobbledygook Alternative
Accordingly — So
Accrue — Add, Gain
Additionally — Also
Advantageous — Helpful
Adversely impact — Hurt, Harm
Ascertain — Find out, Learn
Caveat — Warning
Commence — Begin, Start
Consequently — So
Consolidate — Join, Merge
Constitutes — Is, Makes up
Demonstrate — Prove, Show
Disseminate — Give, Send
Enumerate — Count
Equitable — Fair
Expeditious — Fast, Quick
Facilitate — Ease, Help
Feasible — Possible
Forfeit — Give up, Lose
Furthermore — Also
Heretofore — Until now
Herewith — Here
Inasmuch as — Since
Incentivise — Encourage
Methodology — Method
Moreover — Also
Necessitate — Cause, Require
Notwithstanding — In spite of
Obligate — Require
Preclude — Prevent
Prioritise — Rank
Proficiency — Skill, Ability
Promulgate — Issue, Publish
Remuneration — Payment
Render — Give, Make
Subsequently — After, Later, Then
Terminate — End, Stop
Therefore — So
Utilise — Use
Validate — Confirm, Verify
Whereas — Because, Since
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