Verbs
Keep it simple
Use common, simple verb tenses like present and past.
Use present tense
Present usually works for both present and future situations.
Write: If you do not do this, OW counts the money as income in the month you get it.
Not: If you do not do this, OW will count the money as income in the month you get it.
Words ending in “ing”
When you add “ing” to the end of a verb, it becomes a present participle form of the verb or a gerund, which is a noun.
Because it’s best to keep verb tenses simple, avoid adding “ing” when possible.
Write: There are 3 ways to make a complaint with the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council. You can:
- use the online complaint form
- call the complaints department
- email the complaints department
Not: The 3 ways to make a complaint with the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council are:
- using the online complaint form
- calling the complaints department
- emailing the complaints department
But in headings, there may be times when it works better to use the “ing” form.
Example: Applying for assistance or Appealing a decision
Avoid nominalizations
Avoid using nominalizations, which are also called hidden verbs or frozen verbs.
These are verbs that are turned into nouns by adding an ending like “tion” and “ment”.
Write: The Family Responsibility Office enforces support orders and collects support payments.
Not: The function of the Family Responsibility Office is the enforcement of support orders and collection of support payments.
Phrasal verbs
Be careful about using phrasal verbs, especially if the audience includes a lot of readers who are learning English.
A phrasal verb is a verb that’s followed by a preposition or an adverb. This combination creates a meaning different from the original.
Examples of phrasal verbs:
- check out
- give up
- put off
- rule out
- get over
- take over
- turn down
- work out
Previous page Next page