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Feb 12, 2024 · In layman’s terms, you need a cardiologist. A call for something to be explained in layman’s terms often follows large news stories, as in the case of coronavirus or a political discussion.
Jun 3, 2022 · Learn the rules for using the phrase "layman’s terms" in writing and speech. Find out when this phrase is offensive and how to use it correctly.
- Kate Miller-Wilson
- Staff Writer
- Avoid Jargon and Explain Technical Terms
- Use Short Sentences and Paragraphs
- Get to The Main Point Quickly
- Don’T Dumb Down Unnecessarily!
- Get Your Documents Proofread
Jargon – language used by experts or insiders in a specific field of study or industry – is the enemy of plain English. As such, you should try to avoid jargon when writing for a lay audience, including: 1. Technical language (e.g., saying “cardialgia” instead of “heartburn”). 2. Slang terms specific to a profession (e.g., the medical slang “gomer”...
Short sentences are easier to follow than long ones. So, while varying sentence lengthis good, using short simple sentences where possible will help to improve readability. Tips for keeping your sentences short include: 1. Using the active voiceto keep your writing clear and direct. 2. Eliminating unnecessary modifiers, repetition and wordiness. 3....
People are busy. They skim read. So unless you can grab their attention as soon as possible, they may get bored and stop reading. As such, in the first paragraph of your writing, state your main point as clearly and concisely as possible. In this blog post, for example, we could have begun by discussing religious laity. But since that isn’t our mai...
Simplifying your language doesn’t mean dumbing down your ideas. And if your reader feels like you’re talking down to them, they may lose interest. The key is to find a level that suits your audience. If you’re explaining a scientific theory to children, then you may have to simplify some ideas. But if you’re addressing college-level students, you c...
Asking a non-specialist friend or colleague to read a draft of your writing is a great idea. They can give you a different perspective, including pointing out areas that may be hard to understand for a lay audience. And for an expert opinion, you can even have your work proofread by a professional. Our editors, for instance, can provide feedback on...
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Plain English (layman's terms) is a mode of writing or speaking the English language intended to be easy to understand regardless of one's familiarity with a given topic. It usually avoids the use of rare words and uncommon euphemisms to explain the subject.
While the original layman’s terms definition or layman’s terms meaning relates to the clergy, its usage also extends to the fields of law and medicine until eventually applied to all fields as per its modern usage. The word layman comes from the Old English leah, which means a glade. When combined with mann, it (more or less) means a person ...
Nov 25, 2023 · The engineer did his best to describe the complex machinery in layman's terms so that everyone in the meeting could understand. In layman's terms, the software acts as a virtual assistant, helping users with various tasks. The doctor always broke down the diagnosis in layman's terms, ensuring the patients fully comprehended the medical condition.
5 days ago · When someone asks for something to be explained in ‘layman’s terms’ they are asking for it to be explained very simply without any technical wording being used. Origin of this idiomatic phrase. The phrase ‘layman’s terms’ first came from the 16th century and had the meaning of ‘ plain English .’. A layman is better known as a ...
