This information was taken from Michael Larsen's book, How to Write a Proposal. It can be purchased at www.barnesandnoble.com for $15.99. I went to the library to use the book. It's worth the money to buy it to have on hand.
Words to Avoid
Avoid long unusual words, direct words will do.
Avoid obviously
Avoid the verb to be, if you can find a stronger verb .
Avoid sentences that begin It is or There is or are
Avoid weak words, maybe, probably, perhaps, few, some, something, anything, thing (s) many, a lot, lots of, plenty of, numerous, almost, quite, little, awhile and several. Be accurate without using the word specific.
Avoid recent; it won't be for long.
Avoid three years ago or three years from now. Give the year.
Avoid weak verbs. Instead, try using:
* can for could
* will for would
* is for may be
Avoid too many ands
Avoid the he/she problem by using the plural they
Avoid words like mode, process or in process, viable, reader-or-user-friendly, baby boomer, or impact as a verb
Avoid ongoing for continuing
Avoid prior to for before
Avoid due to; use because of
Avoid different ways or various ways
Avoid i inter in interrelated and interconnected
Avoid exaggerating anything
Avoid all, every, or never, unless they are accurate
Avoid creating new words untied by hyphens or slash marks
Avoid citing a dictionary and defining terms
Avoid the inevitable words. If you are writing about sex, avoid the word. It will show up anyway when there is no alternative. Avoid use expressions you always hear or see in print; be original.
Avoid ordinary, overworked words, phrases images. Make your writing vivid and colorful.
Avoid the reader; use readers (plural)
Avoid etc. - either use the whole or part of the list; and preface it with like, such as, or including.
Avoid the word City in New York City.
Avoid U.S.; spell it out.
Avoid putting words in capital letter for emphasis
Avoid targeted; it's implied
Change demonstrate to show
Change critical to crucial or essential
Numbers
Use a rounded but accurate number. If necessary, preface it with almost, nearly, or more than.
Use one to ninety-nine for numbers at the beginning of a sentence.
Don't mention cents; stick to round dollar figures.
Use twenty-two rather than more than twenty.
Punctuation and italics
Avoid underlining for emphasis .
Print names of books, periodicals, and movies in italic.
Avoid parentheses in an introduction and outline. If it is import, say it.
If you want to use a dash to set off a word or phrase, type two hyphens with no spaces between the dashes.
Hyphenate two or more words to modify a noun: black-and-white photos, fifteen-page document, and high-quality work.
Use quote marks quoting someone, and always make it clear whom you are quoting and why. Otherwise, avoid them.
Use a single quote marks for a quote within a quote. Then he smiled and recalled, She said: 'You don't say!'
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