Are using posh words to make your business website sound better? Want to write like a layman and make visitors feel more at ease using your site?

Grammar Check share the words you should swap in this infographic.

Here are a few that make their list:

• Ergo
• Plethora
• Per se
• Modus operandi
• Paradigm

Check out the infographic for more detail.

 

In the digital age, websites have become the go-to platform for individuals and businesses to communicate with the world. Whether you’re running a personal blog, an e-commerce site, or a corporate webpage, the words you choose to convey your message can significantly impact how your audience perceives your brand. While using a rich vocabulary can be impressive, there’s a fine line between sounding knowledgeable and coming across as pretentious.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 17 pretentious words commonly used on websites and suggest simpler, more approachable alternatives. By avoiding these pretentious words and opting for plain language, you can make your website more user-friendly and relatable to a wider audience.

1. Utilize → Use

One of the most common pretentious words found on websites is “utilize.” While it may sound more sophisticated, it simply means “use.” Using “use” instead of “utilize” is a straightforward way to make your content more accessible and reader-friendly. For example, replace “We will utilize our expertise to solve the problem” with “We will use our expertise to solve the problem.”

2. Facilitate → Help

“Facilitate” is another word that can make your content seem overly complex. Instead of saying you’ll “facilitate a smooth process,” simply state that you’ll “help make the process smooth.”

3. Endeavor → Try

“Endeavor” is a lofty word for “try.” Using “try” is not only simpler but also more relatable to your audience. For instance, replace “We will endeavor to meet your expectations” with “We will try to meet your expectations.”

4. Implement → Use

Similar to “utilize,” “implement” is often used unnecessarily. Instead of saying you’ll “implement a new strategy,” say you’ll “use a new strategy.”

5. Ameliorate → Improve

“Ameliorate” means to make something better, but it’s a word that many people might not be familiar with. To ensure your message is clear, use the simpler term “improve” when discussing enhancements.

6. Peruse → Read

“Peruse” is a fancy way of saying “read.” However, it can be confusing for some readers. Instead of asking them to “peruse our articles,” invite them to “read our articles.”

7. Endeavor → Effort

“Endeavor” can be replaced with “effort” to make your content more accessible. Instead of saying you’ll “make every endeavor to meet deadlines,” promise to “put in every effort to meet deadlines.”

8. Commence → Start

“Commence” is a formal word for “start.” Using “start” is more straightforward and easier for your audience to understand. For example, replace “The project will commence next week” with “The project will start next week.”

9. Utilization → Use

“Utilization” is another word that can be replaced with “use” without losing any meaning. Instead of discussing the “utilization of resources,” talk about the “use of resources.”

10. Ascertain → Find Out

“Ascertain” means to find out, but it’s a word that might leave some readers scratching their heads. To be more direct, say you’ll “find out” instead of “ascertain.”

11. Optimize → Improve

“Optimize” is a common buzzword in the tech and marketing industries, but it can sound pretentious to some. Instead of saying you’ll “optimize your website,” state that you’ll “improve your website.”

12. Utilize → Apply

Once again, “utilize” can be swapped out for a simpler word like “apply.” For instance, replace “We will utilize the latest techniques” with “We will apply the latest techniques.”

13. Endeavor → Attempt

“Endeavor” and “attempt” both mean to try, but “attempt” is a more everyday word that your audience is likely to be more comfortable with. Instead of saying you’ll “endeavor to meet customer needs,” state that you’ll “attempt to meet customer needs.”

14. Leverage → Use

“Leverage” is often used in business and marketing to mean using something to your advantage. However, “use” is a simpler and clearer alternative. Replace “We will leverage our resources for success” with “We will use our resources for success.”

15. Procure → Get

“Procure” means to obtain, but it’s a word that can make your content sound overly formal. To simplify your language, use “get” instead. For example, replace “We will procure the necessary equipment” with “We will get the necessary equipment.”

16. Peruse → Look Through

“Peruse” can be confusing, as it is often misused to mean “skim” when it actually means “to read thoroughly.” To avoid confusion, use “look through” when you want to convey the idea of skimming. For example, say “Please look through the document quickly” instead of “Please peruse the document quickly.”

17. Utilize → Employ

Lastly, replace “utilize” with “employ” to make your content more straightforward. Instead of saying you’ll “utilize a new approach,” state that you’ll “employ a new approach.”

In conclusion, using pretentious words on your website may make you seem knowledgeable, but it can also alienate your audience. By opting for simpler, more common language, you can make your content more accessible and relatable to a wider range of readers. So, the next time you’re updating your website or writing new content, remember to keep it simple, and you’ll be on your way to connecting with your audience on a deeper level.