Word List

• Use create when a user is creating or setting up something.
• Use allow instead of may to indicate that permission has been granted to perform some action.
• Use canceled, not cancelled.
• Use configure to refer to the process of changing the attributes of a feature, even if that includes turning on or off the feature.
• Use delete when the action being performed is destructive.
• Use enable for binary operations that turn a feature or API on. Use “turn on” and “turn off” instead of “enable” and “disable” for other situations.
• Use key combination to refer to pressing multiple keys simultaneously.
• Use key sequence to refer to pressing multiple keys separately in order.
• Use modify to refer to something that has changed vs obtaining the latest version of something.
• Use remove when the action being performed takes an item out of a larger whole, but doesn’t destroy the item itself.
• Use set up as a verb. Use setup as a noun or adjective.
• Use show. In general, use paired with hide.
• Use sign in, sign out as a verb. Use sign-in or sign-out as a noun or adjective.
• Use update when you mean to obtain the latest version of something.
• Use want instead of like or would like.

Don’t use

• Don’t use etc. It’s redundant. To convey that a series is incomplete, introduce it with “such as” instead.
• Don’t use hostname, use “host name” instead.
• Don’t use in order to. It’s too formal. “Before you can” is usually better in UI text.
• Don’t use one or more. Specify the quantity where possible. Use “at least one” when the quantity is 1+ but you can’t be sure of the number. Likewise, use “at least one” when the user must choose a quantity of 1+.
• Don’t use the terms log in, log on, login, logout or log out.
• Don’t use like or would you like. Use want instead. Better yet, rephrase so that it’s not referring to the user’s emotional state, but rather what is required.

Use with caution

• Avoid using leverage, especially as a verb. “Leverage” is considered a buzzword largely devoid of meaning apart from the simpler “use”.
• Avoid using once as a synonym for “after”. Typically, when “once” is used in this way, it is followed by a verb in the perfect tense.
• Don’t use e.g. Use “example”, “such as”, “like”, or “for example”. The phrase is always followed by a comma.
• Don’t use i.e. unless absolutely essential to make text fit. Use “that is” instead.
• Use disable for binary operations that turn a feature or API off. Use “turn on” and “turn off” instead of “enable” and “disable” for other situations. For UI elements that are not available, use “dimmed” instead of “disabled”.
• Use please only when you’re asking the user to do something inconvenient, not just following the instructions in a typical flow.
• Use really sparingly in such constructions as “Do you really want to…” Because of the weight it puts on the decision, it should be used to confirm actions that the user is extremely unlikely to make.