Use short sentences

You can break up long sentences in several ways, including using bulleted lists. You can also start a sentence with a conjunction (and, or, so, but). Always use these short, plain language coordinating conjunctions instead of more formal words like “however.”

Examples of short sentences

Like this:

You may gather supporting documents yourself. Or you can ask for our help to gather evidence.

Not this:

You may gather supporting documents yourself, or you can ask for our help to gather evidence.

Like this:

You can file a Supplemental Claim if you meet at least 1 of these requirements:

• You have new and relevant evidence that we didn’t consider before, or
• You have a condition that we now consider presumptive

Not this:

You can file a Supplemental Claim if you have new and relevant evidence that we didn’t consider before or you have a condition that we now consider presumptive.

Like this:

Call us at 800-827-0648 (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.

Not this:

Call us at 800-827-0648 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.

Like this:

Get the current Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates for August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024. And learn about how we determine how much of the full benefit rate you can get.

Not this:

Get the current Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates for August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024, and learn about how we determine how much of the full benefit rate you can get.