write a letter (responding to a complaint)

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 _________________