6.6 Sentences don't split verb forms unnecessarily
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Avoid splitting elements of the verb. Keeping elements of the verb together in a sentence aids readability and comprehension, reducing the need to reread.
Example 1
Tara has only been married for 2 days.
Tara has been married for only 2 days.
In example 2, the conditional "if" clause is not useful information at the point that it appears in the sentence because the reader does not yet know what the Minister "may" do. The reader has to hold all the conditional information in their mind until reading the verb "issue".
Example 2—verbs separated by conditional clause
The Minister may, if satisfied that the applicant has sufficient funds, issue a licence to the applicant.
If the sentence is rephrased to put the condition after the main clause (example 3), the elements of the verb are kept together and the relationship between the subject of the sentence and the verb is established early on. The reader can then "chunk" this meaningful information in their mind and move on to the next section of text. The more efficient the "chunks", the easier the sentence is to process.
Example 3—conditional clause moved to end of sentence
The Minister may issue a licence to the applicant if the Minister is satisfied that the applicant has sufficient funds.
Plain language
- Plain Language Standard
- Checklist for Standard
- Supporting documents
- 3.4A Legislation: Using paragraphs to enhance readability and clarity
- 3.4B Using paragraphs to enhance readability and clarity
- 3.5 Ensure that each section has no more than 5 subsections
- 3.8 Use bold, italics, and underlining sparingly and consistently
- 3.10 Link to detailed information
- 4.1 Place key words early in the heading
- 4.2 Headings clearly indicate specific topics or summarise main messages
- 4.3 Headings work well together
- 4.4 Headings appear frequently enough
- 4.5 Headings are reasonably brief
- 4.6 Headings have a clear and consistent hierarchy
- 5.1 Avoid emotive words, jargon, and policy-speak
- 6.2 Make your writing active wherever possible
- 6.3 Sentences are phrased positively
- 6.4 Use narrative style and avoid excessive cross-referencing
- 6.6 Don't split verb forms unnecessarily
- 6.7 Sentences use present tense
- 6.8 Use punctuation appropriately and consistently
- 7.3 Relative clauses
- 8.2 Gender-neutral language
- 8.5 Definitions that are helpful and are not contrived to create artificial concepts
- 8.6 Use modifiers close to words they modify: Mismatched sentence parts
- 8.8 Avoid over-use of noun strings
- 8.10 Avoid archaic language
- Principles of clear drafting
