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On words as worn-out coins
On words as worn-out coins
Language shapes our world, but overuse dulls its meaning. Like worn-out coins, words lose value as we use, exchange and adapt them.
·tidycontent.com·
On words as worn-out coins
What’s the difference between ACTIVE & PASSIVE?
What’s the difference between ACTIVE & PASSIVE?
What are the active and passive voices in English? We use the active voice in a sentence when the subject performs a verb. For example: “Jim wrote a letter”. We use the passive voice when the subject is acted on by the verb. For example: “The letter was delivered by the postman”. Now, when should you use which voice? That is the question! In this English grammar lesson, I will teach you about using the active and passive voices. I will explain in more detail the difference between the two and give you lots of examples to solidify your understanding. I will also show you how to change a sentence from active to passive, or passive to active. You will learn some reasons why you might choose one or the other. This will help you in everyday speaking, as well as in writing, making your English more varied and interesting.
What are the active and passive voices in English? We use the active voice in a sentence when the subject performs a verb. For example: “Jim wrote a letter”. We use the passive voice when the subject is acted on by the verb. For example: “The letter was delivered by the postman”. Now, when should you use which voice? That is the question! In this English grammar lesson, I will teach you about using the active and passive voices. I will explain in more detail the difference between the two and give you lots of examples to solidify your understanding. I will also show you how to change a sentence from active to passive, or passive to active. You will learn some reasons why you might choose one or the other. This will help you in everyday speaking, as well as in writing, making your English more varied and interesting. Don’t forget to do the quiz after watching! https://www.engvid.com/learn-english-...What are the active and passive voices in English? We use the active voice in a sentence when the subject performs a verb. For example: “Jim wrote a letter”. We use the passive voice when the subject is acted on by the verb. For example: “The letter was delivered by the postman”. Now, when should you use which voice? That is the questi …...more...more
·youtube.com·
What’s the difference between ACTIVE & PASSIVE?
Why we use plain English
Why we use plain English

This absolutely ancient (from 2015) blog post by Ben Clancy, then at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), stands up rather nicely. Sometimes, it really is important to remind people why you use plain English. It can be helpful for your audience, sure. But also colleagues and teams that you work with from day to day.

·defradigital.blog.gov.uk·
Why we use plain English
The case for jargon
The case for jargon
I like this piece by content designer, Amy Hupe, because it acknowledges the nuances of language and even plain English. Yes, in most cases, jargon should be avoided. But jargon can empower people and communities too.
·amyhupe.co.uk·
The case for jargon
UX writing: making our microcopy clear, concise and useful
UX writing: making our microcopy clear, concise and useful
Miles Taylor, now at Torchbox, wrote this while at University of Bristol. It comes from having pulled a load of information together to try and explain the benefits of UX writing and clear content to internal project teams. This is a job that often seems to fall to us content folk. Plain language? Explain yourself!
·digital-comms.blogs.bristol.ac.uk·
UX writing: making our microcopy clear, concise and useful
Writing about actions and their effects
Writing about actions and their effects
First of all, you should read Adobe's guidelines on inclusive language. And then in the page on writing with visuals, you'll find a short table that shows some examples of how to write actions. Things like, 'Enter email' instead of 'Type email address', as the user may not be typing if they are using a screen reader.
·spectrum.adobe.com·
Writing about actions and their effects
The Ultimate Guide to Grammar
The Ultimate Guide to Grammar
Grammarly is a useful tool that checks your writing for bad spells and stuff. But the company blog is also a content treasure trove of handy information, including this giant guide to pretty much every word-related term or phrase you can think of. Punctuation. Syntax. It's got the lot.
·grammarly.com·
The Ultimate Guide to Grammar
How to use the active or passive voice - BBC Bitesize
How to use the active or passive voice - BBC Bitesize
Guess what my 11-year-old twins are doing for their homework this week? They had to go through this ace web page all about the active and passive voice. It includes examples, videos and quizzes. I very much of approve of clear language in schools, though it would be great to see more about how it benefits people.
·bbc.co.uk·
How to use the active or passive voice - BBC Bitesize
Making the case for clear language
Making the case for clear language

This is super stuff from Nia Campbell at Content Design London. It's full of useful distinctions and information and a follow up to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) launching its first plain language standard.

The bit about whether we should use the term 'plain' or 'clear' language caught my eye! I fussed for ages over whether I should call this newsletter Clear Language Weekly. In the end, I went for Plain English Weekly instead because I felt it was the more recognised phrase. People know it as a thing.

But as you may have spotted, I do generally prefer 'clear language' when I talk about the practical act of – you know – writing clearly.

·contentdesign.london·
Making the case for clear language
Noun vs Verb: What’s the Difference?
Noun vs Verb: What’s the Difference?
If you don't mind me saying so, I am pretty good at writing in clear language. But can I remember all the different types of verb, noun and any other linguistic reference without checking Google? Nope. Nope I can't.
·prowritingaid.com·
Noun vs Verb: What’s the Difference?
Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts
Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts
One web page (and associated video) full of useful advice, information and practical things you can do to improve your writing. The thrust of the piece shows why the people who might typically argue against clear language are, in fact, wrong. You can use this to persuade the doubters you find in your own work.
·nngroup.com·
Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts