Standard terms

Don't use completion – use end.

Don't use comply with – use keep to or meet.

Don't use component – use part.

Don't use comprise – use make up or include.

Don't use conceal – use hide.

Don't use concerning – use about or on.

Don't use conclusion – use end.

Don't use concur – use agree.

Don't use condition – use rule.

A conjunction is a "joining word", that links different parts of a sentence together  – such as "and" or "but".  And they can be used to start sentences.

Don't use consequently – use so.

Don't use considerable – use great or important.

Don't use constitute – use make up or form.

Don't use construe – use interpret.

Don't use consult – use talk to, meet, ask.

Don't use consumption – use amount used.

Don't use contemplate – use think about.

Our preferred CTA for continuing an action.

Should say "Continue" rather than "Next" or "Proceed".

Use "Continue" where it's not necessary to explain to the user exactly what the button does. For example, if the button submits the information they've entered and takes them to the next step in an application, "Continue" is better than "Submit details and continue".

A contraction is a shortened version of two words, written as one word. Often, they use apostrophes to signify missing letters ("didn't", "can't", "shouldn't")

Use these to make your content informal and friendly, but don't overdo it. Too many contractions can make content hard to read.

Don't use contrary to – use against or despite.

In the first instance on a page or document style as "Coronavirus (COVID-19)" at the beginning of a sentence, or "coronavirus (COVID-19)" in the middle of a sentence. In any further instances, just say "coronavirus".

Don't use correct – use put right.

Don't use correspond – use write or email.

Instead of using the term costs the sum of use the term costs instead

Instead of using the term counter use the term against instead

Instead of using the term courteous use the term polite instead

Instead of using the term cumulative use the term added up, added together instead

Instead of using the term currently use the term now (or edit out) instead

Instead of using the term customary use the term usual, normal instead

How we refer to our customer service department ("If you need help, our customer support team is happy to help")

Dashes work well when used in place of colons. Use en dashes (–), not em dashes (—). A hyphen doesn't count as a dash – it's a hyphen.

On a Mac, type an en dash by selecting the Option + Minus keys at the same time.

Don't use dashes in lists or tables of numbers or financial information, as they can look like a minus sign.

Instead of using the term deduct use the term take off, take away instead

Instead of using the term deem to be use the term treat as instead

Instead of using the term defer use the term put off, delay instead

Instead of using the term deficiency use the term lack of instead

Instead of using the term delete use the term cross out instead

Technical term for a very small pension pot. Translated from Latin the term means "pertaining to minimal things".

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Not 'de minimus'. Use sparingly.

Instead of using the term demonstrate use the term show, prove instead

Instead of using the term denote use the term show instead

Not dependant.

Instead of using the term depict use the term show instead

Always a small 'r', even if forming part of a name like the Smart De-risking Fund.

Instead of using the term designate use the term point out, show, name instead

Instead of using the term desire use the term wish, want instead

Instead of using the term despatch or dispatch use the term send, post instead

Instead of using the term despite the fact that use the term though, although instead

Instead of using the term determine use the term decide, work out, set, end instead

Instead of using the term detrimental use the term harmful, damaging instead

Instead of using the term difficulties use the term problems instead

Instead of using the term diminish use the term lessen, reduce instead

It's a proper noun and needs to be capitalised.

Instead of using the term disburse use the term pay, pay out instead

Instead of using the term discharge use the term carry out instead

Instead of using the term disclose use the term tell, show instead

Instead of using the term disconnect use the term cut off, unplug instead

Instead of using the term discontinue use the term stop, end instead

Instead of using the term discrete use the term separate instead

Instead of using the term discuss use the term talk about instead

Instead of using the term disseminate use the term spread instead

Instead of using the term documentation use the term papers, documents instead

Instead of using the term domiciled in use the term living in instead

Instead of using the term dominant use the term main instead

We say "flexible income (income drawdown)" in the first instance, and "flexible income" after this. An exception is when referring to the legal or financial process of drawdown – in this instance, say "drawdown" (for example, "your pension fund is now in drawdown").

Instead of using the term due to the fact of use the term because, as instead

Instead of using the term duration use the term time, life instead

Instead of using the term during which time use the term while instead

Instead of using the term dwelling use the term home instead

Instead of using the term economical use the term cheap, good value instead

Use "Edit" and not "Change" or "Amend".

Don't use these – use "For example," instead.

Instead of using the term eligible use the term allowed, qualified instead

Instead of using the term elucidate use the term explain, make clear instead

Should be all lower case for readability. For example:

• firstname.lastname@smartpension.co.uk
• joesmith@gmail.com

For example, "please can I have your email address so I can email you that document" or "I received your email at my email address."

Instead of using the term emphasise use the term stress instead

Instead of using the term empower use the term allow, let instead

Instead of using the term enable use the term allow instead

Instead of using the term enclosed use the term inside, with instead

Instead of using the term encounter use the term meet instead

Instead of using the term endeavour use the term try instead

Instead of using the term enquire use the term ask instead

Instead of using the term enquiry use the term question instead

Instead of using the term ensure use the term make sure instead

Instead of using the term entitlement use the term right instead

Instead of using the term envisage use the term expect, imagine instead

Instead of using the term equivalent use the term equal, the same instead

Instead of using the term erroneous use the term wrong instead

We use two types of error messages – alerts (boxes that pop up out of the form or page) and inline errors (error messages that appear by the incorrectly filled form field).

Alerts

Alerts should lead in with a simple statement of fact, followed by a broad description of the options available on the page. For example, "It looks like your income could run out when you're 78.”

If you want your income to last longer, you could lower your monthly income or move more money into this pot".

Avoid stating whether an alert is positive or negative. In the example above, it would be wrong to say "There's a problem - your money might run out when you're 78. To fix this, (...)" – as it's impossible to know the user's future plans or overall financial situation.

Inline errors

Unlike regular error messages/alerts, inline error messages don't necessarily need to explain what went wrong. Telling the user the solution is often enough to prompt them to correct the error, especially in simple forms. For example, "Please enter your name" is enough to prompt a user to fill in a form field they accidentally missed.

Explaining the error can make the message unnecessarily long and harder to read. For example, "You didn't enter your name. Please enter your name" is overkill for a simple to understand and easy to fix error.

Instead of using the term establish use the term show, find out, set up instead

Don't use it. If you find yourself in a situation that calls for the use of something like this use "and more" instead.

Instead of using the term evaluate use the term test, check instead

Instead of using the term evince use the term show, prove instead

Instead of using the term exceptionally use the term only when, in this case instead

Instead of using the term excessive use the term too many, too much instead

Use them sparingly – they may be useful in specific cases (such as celebration moments) when there is less need to be formal!

Instead of using the term exclude use the term leave out instead

Instead of using the term excluding use the term apart from, except instead

Instead of using the term exclusively use the term only instead

Instead of using the term exempt from use the term free from instead