Introduction
Businesses are often guilty of using overly-formal language and even inventing terms such as 'going forward' which means 'from now on' or 'in the future' (with a continuous and progressive movement). This is called 'jargon'.
Often (but not always), there are simpler alternatives. Take 'prior to' which is a very formal synonym of 'before'.
So let's look at some of these terms in context and practise using simpler, more natural-sounding alternatives.
1. Look at the internal memo (from ‘memorandum’, which means ‘message’) below, and see how many words or expressions you can find which seem overly formal.
Jargon Global Plc
Memorandum to: All personnel
From: Human Resources Dept.
Subject: Leave requests for next fiscal period
In the course of planning the next fiscal period, it has come to our attention that a large number of personnel have solicited leave over the coming May bank holiday. As a consequence of this and to facilitate the viable functioning of all departments, such requests pertaining to leave will be temporarily discontinued while we effect modifications to department timetables. All requests for leave therefore, must be re-submitted not before 22nd March and prior to the close of trade on 26th March. As a consequence of this disruption, and in the event of any doubts you may have concerning these changes, we invite any input that would be advantageous to a viable resolution for all personnel not later than this Friday 7th February.
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1. Question
2. Look at the expressions below, on the left. How many did you notice? Match the simple English expressions to the jargon with the same meaning.
Sort elements
- people / staff
- holiday
- during
- financial quarter/year
- discover / be told / find out
- many / most
- ask for
- because (of)
- ease / help / make possible
- practical / workable
- about
- stop
- make changes
- before
- if
- about
- comments / advice / response
- helpful / useful
- by
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personnel =
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leave =
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in the course of =
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fiscal period =
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come to one's attention =
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a large number/part =
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solicit =
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as a consequence of =
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facilitate =
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viable =
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pertaining to =
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discontinue =
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effect modifications =
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prior to =
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in the event of =
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concerning =
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input =
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advantageous =
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not later than =
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1. Question
3. Look at the memo again, and write a word or expression from exerceise 2, to make it less formal. Where there are alternatives, you can use any from the list.
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Jargon Global Plc
Memorandum to: All (staff)
From: Human Resources Dept.
Subject: (holiday) requests for next (quarter, year)
(while) planning the next (financial quarter, financial year), we have (discovered, been told, found out) that (most, many) staff have (asked for) holiday over the coming May bank holiday. (Because of) this and to (ease, help, make possible) the (practical, workable) functioning of all departments, such requests (about) holidays will be temporarily (stopped) while we (make changes) to department timetables. All requests for holidays therefore, must be re-submitted from 22nd March to (before) the close of trade on 26th March. Because of this disruption, (if) you have any doubts concerning these changes, we invite any (comments, advice, response) that would be (useful, helpful) to a practical resolution for all staff (by) this Friday 7th February.
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