Use Words to Your Advantage

by Aly Evans

Creative writing skills are important in the grant writing process as the ability to tell your story is essential when presenting your project or program ideas to a funder.  Equally important is the selection of the “right” words to clearly convey your point.  According to Anne Bromely, grammar and writing instructor at San Diego State University’s Extension Program, “short letters are remembered; long ones are skimmed and filed.” When over-used or vague words are included in your proposal you are missing the opportunity for your words to be remembered.   See the list below for advantageous alternative words to strengthen your writing. 

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Instead of Using these Weak/Vague/Redundant Words…

1. accommodate
2. advise
3. affirmative
4. approximately
5. at this point in time
6. cognizant
7. ascertain
8. concerning
9. endeavor
10. disseminate
11. due to the fact that
12. expedite
13. facilitate 
14. generate
15. indicate  
16. in lieu of                
17. make a determination
18. numerous
19. observe
20. originated
21. personnel
    

Use these Strong/Clear Words!

1. serve
2. tell
3. yes
4. about
5. now
6. know
7. find out
8. about
9. try
10. spread
11. because/since
12. rush
13. help
14. make
15. say
16. instead
17. decide
18. many
19. see
20. began
21. people