Plain language is the practice of writing in a way that the reader can understand the first time they read it. It is not simple language. It is not dumbed-down language. It is language that respects the reader's time by being clear, direct, and free of unnecessary complexity.
It is increasingly rare in the workplace.
How corporate language became complicated
Corporate language became complicated gradually, through a combination of forces:
Jargon as membership signal. Using the right vocabulary signals that you belong to a professional community. Knowing the terms — leverage, bandwidth, ecosystem, scalable — marks you as someone who understands the domain. The terms spread because using them is socially rewarded.
Complexity as credibility. Simple language can feel too simple. A recommendation that says "we should do X because it will save money" can feel less impressive than one that says "we should optimize our operational expenditure through strategic resource reallocation." The second version sounds more sophisticated. It is not more useful.
Vagueness as protection. Specific language creates accountability. "We will reduce costs by 15% by Q3" is a commitment. "We will optimize our cost structure over the coming quarters" is not. Vague language is safer. It is also less useful.
The cost of unclear language
Unclear language costs time. When a communication requires interpretation, the reader spends time interpreting it. When the interpretation is wrong, the error costs more time to correct. When the communication is so unclear that the reader gives up, the communication has failed entirely.
See: The Hidden Cost of Unclear Language.
How to write more plainly
- Use the simplest word that accurately conveys the meaning
- Write shorter sentences
- Put the main point first
- Avoid nominalizations (turning verbs into nouns: "make a decision" → "decide")
- Read it aloud — if it sounds unnatural, rewrite it
The test: Would a colleague who is smart but unfamiliar with your specific domain understand this on the first read? If not, it is not plain enough.