4.4 Words

1. Prefer the everyday word of the pair: use not utilise; start/begin not commence (but commencement of an Act is a term of art); end/stop not terminate (except termination of contract); show not demonstrate; ask not request where tone allows. 2. Prefer short words: help not assistance; buy not purchase (but sale deed…); about not approximately; if not in the event that; before not prior to; after not subsequent to. 3. Verbs over noun-chains (un-nominalise): make provision for → provide; give consideration to → consider; conduct an examination of → examine; reach a decision → decide. 4. One term, one meaning — and no synonyms for defined terms (consistency, Unit 3.4). 5. Concrete over abstract: within 15 days, not within a reasonable period; the Kathmandu office, not the said principal place of business. 6. Pronouns sparingly and safely — repeat nouns where two parties of the same gender appear. 7. Abbreviations: expand at first use — Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) — then use the short form consistently. 8. Numbers and dates: one style throughout ("fifteen (15) days" only where the risk of alteration justifies it; otherwise 15 days; "12 Jestha 2082 BS (25 May 2025 AD)" — dual calendar in Nepal). 9. Word economy test: delete every word, and then every sentence, that changes nothing; "It is important to note…