Creating a professional business image has nothing to do with big words. Many people get caught up in high-level vocabulary in an attempt to impress the reader in their business communication. Unfortunately, this shows that you don’t care much about your reader’s time and effort. At all times, if there is a simpler word, use that instead. Here is a list of simpler alternatives to some commonly used words in business writing:
| Commonly used words: | Much simpler alternatives: |
| 1. Optimum | 1. Best |
| 2. Formulate | 2. Make/Develop |
| 3. Adequate (number) | 3. Enough |
| 4. Fundamental | 4. Basic |
| 5. Terminate | 5. End |
| 6. Endeavour | 6. Try |
| 7. Disseminate | 7. Send Out/Distribute |
| 8. Customary | 8. Usual |
| 9. Implement | 9. Do/Carry Out |
| 10. Expedite | 10. Speed Up |
| 11. Obtain | 11. Get |
| 12. Ascertain | 12. Find Out/Check |
Always remember this, good business communication, among other things, is concise and easy to understand.
