Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Problem Words and Expressions
Problem Words and Expressions
Problem Words and Expressions
Every officer should be familiar with and avoid the problem words on this list. Some are old-
fashioned and unprofessional; others can cause errors.
Abovementioned
This old-fashioned, time-wasting word needs to be stored permanently in the attic. Use “this”
or, better yet, repeat the name or information.
Advise
“Advise” refers to giving advice. If you use it that way, advise is a fine word. But don’t use it
as a synonym for “tell.”
I advised her to seek medical attention for the cut on her arm. CORRECT
Affect
“Affect” is a useful verb meaning “to change.” [Much less commonly it’s also a noun that
means emotion.] So why should you avoid affect? Two reasons.
First is the risk of confusing affect and effect. Why take a chance? If you mean change,
that’s the word you should write.
A more serious problem with affect is that it’s vague. It’s better to choose a word that
indicates whether the change was for the better or the worse.
Affirmative
“Yes” or “agreed” works better.
He agreed. BETTER
Ascertained
This clumsy word has two strikes against it. First, it’s archaic. Second, it doesn’t explain how
you acquired the information. Better choices are “saw” or “heard.”
Use “now” instead–or just leave it out. There’s no difference between “He’s now awaiting trial”
and “He’s awaiting trial.”
This is police jargon and out of place in a professional report. Substitute “I started Baker Act
proceedings” or “I took her into custody under the provisions of the Baker Act.”
Being that
[Incidentally, being is a perfectly good word that can, however, gum up a sentence. Use it
with care.]
Blue in color
Professional writers avoid empty words. “In color” doesn’t add anything, so don’t use it.
The suspect was wearing a shirt that was blue in color. EMPTY WORDS
By means of
Substitute “by.”
Contacted
This is too vague for a professional report. In fact it could cause problems in court later on, if
you forget exactly how you got in touch with the person. Be specific:
Endeavor
Substitute “try.”
Expedite
Substitute “for.”
A defense attorney can get you on this one. Alcohol is odorless and tasteless. Say that you
smelled “alcoholic beverage” on his breath.
If and when
In close proximity to
Substitute “near.”
In order to
Substitute “to.”
Residence