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Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction

This guide, developed by the Canada Revenue Agency, provides straightforward guidance to authors producing documents for the Web.

2.0 Organize your ideas

Before you start writing, plan what you want to say. Start with an outline to organize the information for your audience.

2.1 Define your audience

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Who will use this document?
  • What are they looking for?
  • How will I talk to them?

Your institution may produce publications for a variety of audiences:

  • technical audiences that have specialized training and understand technical terms such as engineers and accountants;
  • less specialized audiences that likely do not have the same understanding of technical language, such as business owners;
  • more general audiences of specific groups of people, such as seniors, students, and new Canadians;
  • internal audiences.

Your document may be aimed at two very different audiences. In these cases, use a level of language that suits the reader with the least amount of knowledge about the subject.

2.2 What is the purpose of the document?

Define your objectives. For example, do you want to:

  • Tell people about a new product, service, or policy?
  • Change your audience's attitude or behaviour?
  • Explain how to complete a form?

2.3 Decide what you want to say

  • Make your message as clear as possible by separating the main ideas from the less important ones, and by distinguishing between general and specific ideas.
  • Present the information in a logical sequence, with the most important information first and then the supporting details.
  • Don't overload readers with information they cannot use.
  • Break large blocks of information into segments. For Web documents, deal with one main idea per page, and limit each page to a maximum of two or three screens.
  • Use short and simple headings and subheadings to guide your reader. People use headings to scan content, especially on the Web.
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3.0 Use the right language

3.1 Words

3.1.1 Plain language

Make sure your readers understand the information you are giving them. Use straightforward, familiar words and simple, logical sentences to address readers directly and explain technical terms.

Use simple, everyday words
Replace long, complex words with short, simple ones. Stick to the essential message and eliminate words you do not need. For additional details, consult the list of Words to avoid/Alternative words.

Do not write:

  • The period of time which taxpayers have in which to file their income tax returns shall end on the 30th day of April.

Write:

  • Taxpayers have until April 30 to file their returns.

3.1.2 Use verbs instead of nouns

Many nouns are formed from verbs (for example, acquire/acquisition, modify/modification). These types of nouns are vague, do not clearly state action, and are often longer than the corresponding verb. Whenever you can, use the verb form.

Do not useUse
application apply
calculation calculate
certification certify
consideration consider
enforcement enforce

Do not write:

  • The year of acquisition of your property.

Write:

  • The year you acquired your property.

3.1.3 Avoid chains of nouns

Chains of nouns are series of two or more nouns used to name something. They can make your writing unclear and difficult to understand. Rewrite sentences to eliminate this structure, especially in English text.

Do not write:

  • Spousal income reporting requirements determine departmental filing program enforcement action.

Write:

  • The action we take to enforce the filing program depends on the requirements for reporting your spouse's income.

3.1.4 Avoid using jargon

Avoid using administrative jargon. Although you may find these terms and expressions easy to understand, jargon is usually confusing to the public.

Do not write:

  • You have to file the T1 return by April 30.

Write:

  • You have to file your income tax return by April 30.

3.1.5 Explain technical terms

If you must use technical terms, ask yourself if the reader will be able to understand them. If you are not sure, explain the terms briefly, give examples on the same page, or include a glossary with explanations.

3.1.6 Use only easily understood short forms

Using abbreviations -- including acronyms, initialisms, and other short forms -- can help make your documents shorter and clearer. But you have to remember to use them with care and to use them consistently. Don't assume that the reader knows what they mean, and don't switch back and forth between the short and long forms. Use the long form when you first mention the term, with the short form following in brackets. If your reader is unlikely to read your entire document, repeat this procedure at the beginning of each main section or Web page. If you use an expression only a few times, write it out in full each time.

Some short forms are well-known and are an established part of the general public's vocabulary. As a result, you do not have to explain initialisms like GST, RCMP, or CBC.

3.1.7 Repeat established terminology

Be as consistent as possible with terminology in your documents. Don't use two different words to refer to the same thing. For example, if you use the term residence in one reference, do not substitute it with domicile or home later on.

3.1.8 Keep the same level of language

Once you have established a tone and level of language in your document, stick to it. If you have decided to use simple words and expressions to appeal to a general audience, do not suddenly start using highly specialized terms. Also, if you establish the focus of your document as you and we, be consistent all the way through.

3.1.9 Address your reader directly

You can use pronouns like you, we, us, our, and your (in French: vous , nous and on ) to make your document more personal (you for the reader, we or us for the institution). But be consistent; otherwise, you will confuse your reader.

3.2 Sentences and paragraphs

3.2.1 Use the active voice

Whenever possible, use the active voice instead of the passive voice. Your writing will be clearer and more direct.

A sentence is in the active voice when the subject is performing the action. It is always clear who or what is doing the action. When it is in the passive voice, it is not clear who is doing the action. The passive voice makes the text more cumbersome and can create confusion for your reader. The following examples can help you tell the difference between the active and passive voices.

Example 1

  • The returns were completed by the taxpayers. (passive)
  • The returns were completed. (passive)
  • The taxpayers completed the returns. (active)

Example 2

  • Excise tax may be levied on the total value of the goods. (passive)
  • We may levy excise tax on the total value of the goods. (active)

Example 3

  • Contributions can be made to the Canada Pension Plan for tips and gratuities you received. (passive)
  • You can make contributions to the Canada Pension Plan for tips and gratuities you received. (active)

3.2.2 Use simple sentences

Keep the structure of your sentences simple. Try to follow a subject + verb + object construction. Put the subject and verb near the beginning of the sentence. Too much information between the subject and verb makes it difficult for the reader to find out what the subject of the sentence is doing.

3.2.3 Use short sentences

Long sentences can be difficult to decipher, especially when the subject matter is complex or technical. Stick to one or two ideas per sentence, and try to limit each sentence to 25 words or less. Eliminate unnecessary words, and break long sentences into shorter ones. If you have to use a long sentence, you may be able to help your reader understand the information by using bullets and lists.

3.2.4 Use the positive form

Whenever possible, tell people what they can do, rather than what they cannot do.

Example 1

  • You are not entitled to the entire deduction. (negative)
  • You are entitled to part of the deduction. (positive)

Example 2

  • The GST credit cannot be claimed by more than one person. (negative)
  • Only one person can claim the GST credit. (positive)

3.2.5 Avoid double negatives

Double negatives are confusing. Try a simple, positive approach.

Example 1

  • The procedure will not be ineffective. (double negative)
  • The procedure will be effective. (positive)

Example 2

  • You may not claim anything for a dependent child born in 1972 or earlier, unless the child has a mental or physical disability. (double negative)
  • You can claim an amount for a dependent child born in 1972 or earlier if the child has a mental or physical disability. (positive)

3.2.6 Use short paragraphs

Focus each paragraph on one or two ideas, get to the point, and try not to use more than five or six sentences. Long paragraphs tend to intimidate readers even before they start to read.

This is especially important for Web documents, as Internet clients generally scan rather than read the content of a Web page.

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4.0 Apply style

Follow these style guidelines:

4.1 Abbreviations

Abbreviations include short forms of terms (such as e.g. for for example, Ltd. for Limited, and Inc. for Incorporated), acronyms (such as RRIF and NAFTA), and initialisms (such as RRSP and GST).

When you use an acronym or initialism, spell the term in full when it first appears on a page, followed by the abbreviated form in parentheses (unless it is commonly understood, such as GST, CBC, or RCMP). When you refer to it later on that same page, use only the abbreviation. If your reader is unlikely to read your entire document, repeat this procedure at the beginning of each main section. If you are writing for the Web, repeat this procedure for each page. If you use an expression only a few times, write it out in full each time.

In English documents, make sure you use the article a or an appropriately before initialisms and acronyms based on pronunciation (for example, an RRSP, an RESP, but a RRIF). For more information on using abbreviations in English documents, read item 1.16 in The Canadian Style, which also explains when to use the before an abbreviation, and Chapter 1 in the Guide du rédacteur (only available in French) for French text.

Be careful not to use too many abbreviations in your text. They can help save space on your page, but readers may have difficulty with them if they are not easy to remember and distinguish from each other.

4.2 Bilingual place names

Every province and territory has two official names: one in English and one in French. Use the province or territory's English name in English text. However, you cannot translate the names of cities. For example, the cities Montréal, Québec, and Trois-Rivières have only one spelling. In other words, use:

  • Québec for the city (not Quebec City); and
  • Quebec for the province.

For more information, read Chapter 15 of The Canadian Style and Chapter 11 of the Guide du rédacteur (only available in French) (Les noms géographiques) for French text.

4.3 Bold

Use bold if you want to highlight headings or certain words, phrases, numbers, and amount totals -- but be careful not to use too much. The more you use it, the less effective it will be.

Also see Italic.

4.4 Bullets and lists

If you have a long sentence that contains a number of elements, you can make the information easier for the reader to follow and understand by breaking it down into a list or series of bullets. You can also use bullets to list steps or related sentences:

  • Start off with a lead-in that applies to all the list items or bullets, followed by a colon.
  • If you have a word or phrase that is common to all the items or bullets, put it in the lead-in sentence.
  • Put only one idea in each item or bullet.
  • Use dashes or hollow bullets for a nested list (a list within a list) to distinguish these items from the primary list.
  • Do not number the items in a list unless you want to show an order of preference or a desired sequence.

Avoid creating a "sentence sandwich", where part of your sentence comes before the list or bullets and the other part comes after.

Although lists and bullets can be useful, don't overuse them. If you only have one or two points in a sentence, you generally should not use a list or bullets.

Punctuate the items depending on the flow of the list structure:

  • Use semicolons after each item (and a period after the final item) when together they complete a sentence begun by the lead-in. In English documents, the last two items are linked by and or or to emphasize the interdependence of (or choice between) the items.
  • Use periods when each item is a complete sentence.
  • Do not use any punctuation for a simple list of stand-alone items.

You can usually change a lead-in statement from a fragment to a complete idea by adding as follows or the following, or in French documents: soit, notamment, comme suit or (la) suivante, (le) suivant, (les) suivantes, (les) suivants.

Capitalize the lead word in a list item when it is a complete sentence that does not depend on its lead-in. Do not capitalize the lead word when the list items are sentence fragments. Make sure you phrase your list items consistently (all fragments or all complete sentences).

Example 1 (interdependent list items that form a complete sentence with the lead-in)

An RESP payment is subject to Part XIII tax if it is:

  • required by paragraph 56(1)(q) to be included in computing the non-resident person's Part I income for a tax year; and
  • not required to be included in computing the non-resident person's taxable income or taxable income earned in Canada.

Example 2 (interdependent list items that form a complete sentence with the lead-in)

We will pay you compound daily interest on your tax refund for 2005. The calculation will start on whichever of the following three dates is latest:

  • May 31, 2006;
  • the 31st day after you file your tax return; or
  • the day after you overpaid your taxes.

Example 3 (each list item is a complete sentence)

Plain language is important for several reasons:

  • It is becoming a standard for communication in many fields.
  • It is now a priority of governments in several countries, including New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
  • It improves client service and creates savings for the organization.

Example 4 (each list item is a complete sentence) You can deduct your expenses if all of the following conditions apply:

  • You moved to start a job or a business, or to attend full-time post-secondary courses at a university, college, or other educational institution.
  • Your new home is at least 40 kilometres closer to your new workplace or school than your previous home.
  • You moved from one place in Canada to another place in Canada.

Example 5 (simple list of stand-alone items)

Zero-rated goods and services include:

  • basic groceries
  • certain prescription drugs and medical devices
  • most farm products and livestock
  • most fishing products
  • exports

Example 6 (interdependent list items that form a complete sentence with the lead-in)

If you would like to change your payment date, send us a written request that includes:

  • your name, address, and telephone number;
  • your account number; and
  • the reason for the change.

Example 7 (simple list of stand-alone items)

Four issues are related to the economics of healthy housing:

  • affordability
  • adaptability
  • viability for the construction industry
  • marketability

4.5 Calculations

Present calculations in linear format so that people who use screen readers and other assistive devices can understand them correctly:

  • Family net income - $33,487.00 =
    not
  • Family net income
    -          $33,487.00

4.6 Canadian English

Canadian English mixes elements of British and American English. Our pronunciation and spelling tend to be more diverse.

Set the spell checker on your computer and in your electronic documents for either English (Canada) or Anglais (Canada). But remember that your spell checker can only tell you if the words you typed are correctly spelled, not if you typed the correct word. For example, a good Canadian English dictionary can help you choose between licence and license, principle and principal, and practice and practise.

Here is a brief list of some commonly accepted Canadian English spellings:

  • cheque not check
  • centre not center
  • traveller not traveler
  • organization not organisation
  • honourable not honorable
  • defence not defense
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4.7 Canadian French

Canadian French generally follows the standards of what is known as "International French". As such, it is free of regionalisms and anglicisms.

Set the spell checker of your computer in your electronic documents for either "French (Canada)" or "Français (Canada)". But remember that your spell checker can only tell you if the words you typed are correctly spelled, not if you typed the correct word. For example, a good French dictionary  (e.g., Le Petit Robert) can help you choose between habilité and habileté, à garder and de garder, and will not result in improper correlations or anglicisms (e.g., démonstration and manifestation).

The spelling words also apply to certain English terms that have been accepted in France but not in Canada. The following is a list of some of these words:

  • stationnement not parking
  • fin de semaine not week-end
  • hydrofuge not waterproof.

Certain Canadian terms originate from Old French and have been preserved in North America. For example, the following words: dépendamment , piger (in the sense of prendre ).

Certain terms are typically Canadian. For example: motoneige , pourvoirie, babillard (in the sense of tableau d'affichage), dépanneur (in the sense of magasin). Other terms have been formally borrowed from American Native languages (e.g, achigan, atoka, maskinongé).

As for French language dictionaries, several Web sites can help you to determine which terms to use. The following are some useful sites:

4.8 Capitalization

Do not capitalize words unnecessarily, and do not use all capital letters for headings or to highlight terms. Use the following guidelines:

4.8.1 Institutions and government bodies

  • Capitalize the proper names of institutions and government bodies but in French documents, do not capitalize the adjectives:

    English French
    House of Commons Chambre des communes
    Receiver General for Canada Receveur général du Canada
    Public Service of Canada Fonction publique du Canada
    Canadian Medical Association Association médicale canadienne


  • Capitalize the proper names of specific branches, regions, and offices:

    English French
    Winnipeg Tax Services Office Le Bureau des services fiscaux de Winnipeg
    Jonquière Tax Centre Le Centre fiscal de Jonquière
    Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch La Direction générale des politiques législatives et des affaires réglementaires
    Scientific Research and Experimental Development Directorate La Direction de la recherche scientifique et du développement expérimental
    Prairie Region La Région des Prairies


  • But when you make a general reference, use lower case:

    English French
    one of our tax services offices L'un de nos bureaux des services fiscaux
    your tax centre Votre centre fiscal
    our branches and regions Nos directions générales et régions
    each directorate Chaque direction générale
    the federal public service La fonction publique fédérale

4.8.2 Copyrighted names

  • Capitalize trade names of manufactured products:
    • Plexiglas
    • Tylenol
    • Xerox
  • Some industries use capital letters within the name of a product. Capitalize all names of products and terms, including computer language, according to the manufacturer's preference:
    • MS PowerPoint
    • InfoZone

4.8.3 Title of office or rank

  • Capitalize civil, military, religious, and professional titles, as well as titles of nobility when they precede and form part of a personal name; except in French where the titles are not capitalized when they are not used to directly address a person:

    English French
    Prime Minister Harper Le premier ministre Harper
    Finance Minister Jim Flaherty Le ministre des Finances Jim Flaherty
    Queen Elizabeth II La reine Elizabeth II

    But do not capitalize spelled-out titles in the plural or titles preceded by an indefinite article:

    English French
    the lieutenant-governors of Quebec and Ontario Les lieutenants-gouverneurs du Québec et de l'Ontario
    a member of Parliament Un ministre siégeant au Parlement, un député ou une députée, un parlementaire

  • Capitalize all formal titles following a personal name except in French where the formal titles are not capitalized:

    English French
    Jim Smith, Executive Director, Communications Branch Jim Smith, directeur exécutif, Direction générale des communications
    The Honourable Jane Doe, Minister of Health L'honorable Jeanne Dupont, ministre de la Santé

    But do not capitalize titles following a personal name if they simply describe a profession:

    English French
    Jane Tanaka, professor of physics Jane Tanaka, professeure de physique
    James Hill, publisher James Hill, éditeur

4.8.4 Parts of a form or publication

  • Capitalize references to specific parts of a document, except in French where the specific parts are not capitalized:

    English French
    Appendix D annexe D
    Chart 5 tableau 5
    Figure 1 figure 1
    Volume 9 volume 9


  • Capitalize cross-references to a particular section, except in French where the particular sections are not capitalized:

    English French
    More titles are listed in the Bibliography. La plupart des titres sont énumérés dans la bibliographie.
    See the Appendix A for more charts. Veuillez consulter l'annexe A pour obtenir de plus amples détails sur les tableaux.


  • Do not capitalize the word section when it is used as part of a law or a set of regulations:

    English French
    under subsection 12 of section 4 of the Act En vertu du paragraphe 12 de l'article 4 de la Loi


  • Do not capitalize words such as page, box, code, line, note, paragraph, and column:

    English French
    enter the amount from column 1 on line 421 entrez le montant de la colonne 1 à la ligne 421
    box 14 of the T4 slip la case 14 du formulaire T4
    code 33 in the "Other information" area le code 33 de la partie « Autres renseignements »


  • Do not capitalize generic or non-standard references to forms and publications:

    English French
    your provincial or territorial TD1 form Votre formulaire TD1 provincial ou territorial

4.8.5 Headings

  • For headings in print and Web documents, capitalize only the first letter of the following: the first word, proper nouns, and the first word after a colon or dash. Use lower case for the rest.

4.8.6 Special rules

  • Capitalize the following (except for numéro d'entreprise):

    English French
    Web Web
    Internet Internet
    Business Number numéro d'entreprise


  • Do not capitalize the following:

    English French
    goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax taxe sur les produits et services/taxe de vente harmonisée
    social insurance number numéro d'assurance sociale
    income tax impôt sur le revenu
    intranet intranet
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4.9 Commas

4.9.1 Serial comma

  • When you list items in a sentence, use the A, B, and C (A, B, or C) serial-comma structure for English text and the A, B et C (A, B ou C) serial-comma structure for French text. The serial-comma structure for English text has a comma following the second-last list item, immediately before the conjunction:

    English French
    A, B, and C (A, B, or C) A, B et C (A, B ou C)
    Several federal departments are involved, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, and Public Works and Government Services Canada. Plusieurs ministères fédéraux participent à cette initiative, y compris Pêches et Océans Canada, Santé Canada et Travaux publics et Services gouvernementaux Canada.
    You can file your return using EFILE, TELEFILE, or NETFILE. Vous pouvez transmettre votre déclaration en utilisant la TED, IMPÔTEL ou IMPÔTNET.

4.9.2 Offsetting commas

  • Use two commas to set off the title of a form or publication when it appears in the body of a sentence:

    English French
    Complete Form TD1, Personal Tax Credit Return, and send it to us. Remplissez le formulaire TD1, Déclaration de crédit d'impôt personnel, et faites-le parvenir à notre service.
    For more information, see Guide RC4027, Doing Business in Canada - GST/HST Information for Non-Residents, or contact the International Tax Services Office. Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, veuillez consulter le guide RC4027, Renseignements sur la TPS/TVH pour les non-résidents qui font affaire au Canada, ou communiquez avec le Bureau international des services fiscaux.


  • Use two commas to set off the year when it follows the month and day, except in French text where the day, month and year are never separated:

    English French
    On May 29, 2004, there will be a general meeting for all managers. Une réunion se tiendra le 29 mai 2004, à l'intention des gestionnaires.


  • Omit the commas when only the month and year are given.

    English French
    We will publish the guide in August 2006 or soon after. Le nouveau guide sera publié en août 2006.
    She published an article on botanical gardens in the July 1998 issue of Canadian Living. Elle a publié un article sur les jardins botaniques dans le numéro de juillet 1998 de Ma maison.


4.10 Contractions

In English text, contractions can give an informal tone to a document, and they are often used in promotional material such as posters and advertisements. You can use not contractions (don't, can't, won't, and isn't) and is contractions (we're, she's, it's). Do not use contractions for had, have, should, and would (you'd, he'd, we've).

In formal writing, contractions are not used.

Be sure not to confuse its (the possessive form of it) with it's (the contraction of it is).

4.11 Dashes and hyphens

Ensure consistency when using dashes and hyphens:

4.11.1 On the Web (in HTML)

  • Use two hyphens with one space before and after ( -- ) when you want to use a dash to emphasize a part of a sentence. This can replace commas, semicolons, colons, or parentheses. (In print publications, you would normally use an em dash for this purpose, but this character is not supported all Web browsers.)
  • Use one hyphen with a space before and after ( - ) when you want to use a dash in a heading or title followed by some other text. (In print publications, you would normally use an en dash for this purpose, but this character is not supported by all Web browsers.)
  • Use a hyphen (-) with no spaces before or after for compound terms and with certain prefixes. For more information, see Hyphenating compound terms.

4.11.2 In print documents including PDF versions

  • Use the long em dash when you want to emphasize a part of a sentence. It can replace commas, semicolons, colons, or parentheses. Do not use any spaces before or after the em dash. The keyboard equivalent for em dash is: Alt 0151.
  • Use the shorter en dash when you want to use a dash in a heading or title followed by some other text. Put one space before the en dash, and one space after the en dash. The keyboard equivalent for en dash is: Alt 0150.
  • Use a hyphen with no spaces before or after for compound terms and with certain prefixes. For more information, see Hyphenating compound terms.

For more information on using em dashes and en dashes, read items 7.40 to 7.49 of The Canadian Style.

4.12 Examples

Sometimes it is a good idea to use an example to show the reader how a rule or guideline applies. When you prepare these examples, use names that represent the diversity of ethnic groups in Canada.

4.13 FAQs and sample questions

4.13.1 Questions

  • Phrase questions from the point of view of the person asking the question (for example, "Can I claim a rebate?").
  • Make sure the question is something people might ask frequently.
  • Do not place questions in quotation marks.
  • Each question should stand alone. Follow-up questions should appear separately.
  • Ask each question in a straightforward manner, without unnecessary details.

4.13.2 Answers

  • If possible, start the answer with "Yes" or "No" and then provide details.
  • Generally, answers should only address the question asked and not provide extra information (to avoid lengthy or confusing text).
  • Speak to the person who asked the question. For example, if the question says "...my son has tuition expenses..." then the answer should say "...your son can..." instead of "...to qualify for the tuition amount, the student must have..."
  • Do not place answers in quotation marks.

If you are presenting more than one question and answer, identify each pair with the following style of numbering:

Q1. How do I claim...
A1. Claim your...

Q2. When do I qualify for...
A2.You qualify when...

4.14 Form and publication references

When you refer to a form or publication for the first time, always give its document type, its number, and then its title. Italicize the title unless it is a hyperlink. Separate the number and title with a comma, and follow the title with an comma or a period depending on whether the reference appears in the body or at the end of the sentence:

  • Complete Form TD1, Personal Tax Credit Return, and send it to us. (for a linked first reference)
  • Complete Form TD1, Personal Tax Credit Return, and send it to us. (for an unlinked first reference)
  • For more information, see Guide RC4027, Doing Business in Canada - GST/HST Information for Non-Residents.
  • See Guide T4037, Capital Gains.
  • For more information, see Fact Sheet T4133, Are you a newcomer to Canada?
  • See Pamphlet RC4188, What you should know about audits, for more information.

For later references on the same Web page, use only the document type and number (for example, Form TD1 or Guide RC4027) and do not restate the title. Do not link the second reference unless it is more than one scroll down the page from the first reference.

For later references in a print document, use only the document type and number (for example, Form TD1 or Guide RC4027) and do not restate the title. When you list forms and publications, present them in the following order (unless you feel it is important to list the most used product first):

  • guides
  • pamphlets
  • forms
  • schedules
  • all other publications

4.15 Headings and subheadings

Good headings and subheadings can help guide readers through your document. At a glance, they can see what type of information you are presenting and where to find the information they need. Make sure your headings and subheadings are short, concise, and give a clear idea of the content of the text that follows. Research has shown that headings in the form of questions are an especially effective way to draw readers into your document.

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4.16 Hyperlinks

Use hyperlinks to provide access to more detailed information, and link directly to the reference whenever possible.

Do not place links in quotation marks, bold, or italic, and be sure to link the relevant word(s) only. Make sure that spaces and punctuation before and after a linked phrase are not included in the link. You may be able to phrase a link in text in a general way (such as "Different rules may apply, depending on whether you contribute to an RRSP.") or you may want to cite the page or section title (such as "See Contributing to your RRSP for more details".). If you use the title, make sure it is identical to the title that appears at the top of the linked page or section (including capitalization).

4.17 Hyphenating compound terms

4.17.1 General rules

To avoid ambiguity in English text when using compound adjectives, use a hyphen in the following instances:

  • when an adjective and a noun form a unit to modify another noun (e.g., a part-time job; a long-term investment)
  • when using an adjective and participle compound before or after the noun (e.g., a smooth-talking salesman; the salesman was smooth-talking)
  • when a compound is made up of an adjective and a noun with an ed ending (e.g., able-bodied; short-handed)
  • when a compound adjective is made up of a preposition and a noun (e.g., out-of-province benefits; in-service training)
  • when a phrase consists of more than two words, at least one of which is an adverb or a preposition, and the words are used as adjectives (e.g., the cost-of-living index; on-the-job training)

Do not use a hyphen in the following instances:

  • when verb-adverb combinations is used as a verb phrase (e.g., phased in; make up; follow up)
  • when proper nouns are used as adjectives, a proper adjective is combined with a simple modifier, French or foreign words are used as adjectives, or words are in quotation marks (e.g., a Privy Council decision; a New York chartered bank; a priori reasoning; a "zero tolerance" approach)
  • when adverbs end in ly (e.g., richly embroidered; fully employed)

4.17.2 Special rules

  • Carry forward / Carry back:
    When using either of these as a verb (as in to carry forward) or as a noun (as in a carryback),do not use a hyphen. However, when using them as a compound adjective, as in a carry-forward amount, use a hyphen.

  • Common law / Common-law:
    Do not hyphenate this phrase when it is used as an adverb, but do hyphenate it when it is used as an adjective:

    • living common law
    • common-law partner

  • Toll free / Toll-free:
    Do not hyphenate this phrase when it is used as an adverb, but do hyphenate it when it is used as an adjective:

    • You can call us toll free 24 hours a day.
    • Call our toll-free hotline for more information

  • Hyphens with prefixes:
    Use a hyphen if adding a prefix to a word might result in mispronunciation (for example, re-enter instead of reenter) or a change in meaning of the word (for example, re-cover instead of recover, re-form instead of reform, or pre-serve instead of preserve).

  • Online / Email:
    Use the non-hyphenated online instead of on-line and email instead of e-mail.

4.18 Italic

Use italic for the proper titles of forms and publications, and acts and regulations (unless the title is part of a hyperlink):

  • Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate
  • GST/HST Memorandum 16-3-1, Reduction of Penalty and Interest in Wash Transaction Situations
  • paragraph 14(3)(b) of the Income Tax Act

Do not use italic to highlight or emphasize other types of terms. Use bold instead.

4.19 Layout

Clearly distinguish between such things as headings, subheadings, notes, and examples, and make sure their appearance is consistent throughout your document.

4.19.1 Colour

Black on white makes for the easiest reading on paper. Avoid using colour to convey your message. If you must use colour, ensure that all the information you convey with colour is also available without colour. Ensure that foreground and background colour combinations provide enough contrast for people who are colour-blind or when the information is viewed on a black and white screen. Avoid combinations that result in low contrast, such as blue and green. Be aware that people who are colour-blind have difficulty reading red, blue, and green text.

4.19.2 Font and type size

If you are writing for the Web, the font and type sizes you can use have most likely already been determined for you. If you are writing for another type of document, choose a solid, plain font that is easy to read. Be consistent. Do not change the font within a text. Too many fonts give a document a busy, confusing appearance and can distract the reader.

Make sure you use a type size that is large enough. A small type size will be hard for your reader to see. If a document looks crammed and uninviting, your reader may skip over the text completely. Use at least a 10-point type size.

4.19.3 Graphics and images

  • Do not use graphics or images as a primary means of conveying your message.
  • Before you decide to use graphics or images, assess whether they will help get your message across. Only use them if they are relevant and necessary.
  • To avoid confusion, place your graphics as close as possible to the text they are highlighting or explaining.
  • Provide alternative text to convey your message to people with visual impairments.
  • Tables, charts, and graphs can be especially difficult and confusing to use if they are not properly tailored to your audience's comprehension level and background.

4.19.4 Text alignment

Left-align your text when formatting (keep the right margin ragged). Do not use right alignment or full justification, which makes your document difficult to read by varying the space between words and increasing the number of hyphenated words.

4.19.5 Spacing

Use one space between sentences in all Web texts and print publications. In other documents, such as correspondence, use one or two spaces consistently throughout the text.

Make sure that telephone numbers and important hyphenated items are not broken between two lines.

Make sure names, dates and important titles or phrases are not broken over two lines. You may be able to use a non-breaking space to do this.

4.19.6 Tables

You can use tables to display data, but do not use them for presenting a table of contents or layout information. Set tables up so that they make sense when read from left to right, row by row.

4.19.7 White space

When you prepare a document, be sure to leave enough white space in the margins and between the sections of text. Generous amounts of white space help make the document easier to read. Wide margins, spaces between the lines, and short paragraphs will help you accomplish this.

Although white space is an important part of presenting information in plain language, you may have to consider other factors when you decide how much space to use. For large publications, or for those with a large print run, a lot of white space will add to the publication's length and increase the cost of your printing. Try to achieve a balance between space and cost.

4.20 Line identifiers

Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) to identify lines on a form. If you have to identify lines in subcalculations, use the following order:

  • Arabic numerals
  • capital letters
  • lower-case Roman numerals (place one bracket to the right of each numeral)
Example
  • 1
  • 2
    • A
    • B
      • i)
      • ii)

You can use bold to highlight a line identifier when it appears beside a line in a calculation, but do not use bold when it appears within text. Never use quotation marks or parentheses to highlight identifiers.

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4.21 Names

In English text, use family name, rather than surname or last name. In French text, use nom for the last name, and prénom for the first name.

When asking for personal information, do not ask for a full name or full address. Simply ask for the person's name and address.

4.22 Notes

Use notes sparingly to emphasize important information. Make sure you really want to separate the information you are putting in the note from the rest of your text. If you use too many notes, or notes that contain too much information, they will lose their effectiveness.

Indent notes to help distinguish them from the main body of text.

Use the following in bold and italic to distinguish notes from the rest of your text:

English French
Note: Nota :

4.23 Numbers

Spell out numbers from one through nine. For 10 and above, use the numeric figure. If a sentence has numbers both higher and lower than nine, make them all figures. Also, use figures if you are expressing numbers in percentages (for example, 5%) or millions (for example, 7 million). Spell out a number that begins a sentence (or reword the sentence if you want to use a figure).

For simple fractions in text, write out the fraction in words (for example, three-quarters). For a sentence that contains compound fractions, such as 3 ¾, or a sentence that mixes compound and simple fractions, use only figures.

4.24 Official languages

Make sure you produce documents in accordance with the Official Languages Act.

4.25 People with disabilities

Use the right terms to refer to people with disabilities fairly and accurately.

Also read Web instructions and Layout.

4.25.1 English terms

Use Do not use
  • person with a disability
  • handicapped
  • physically challenged
  • crippled
  • invalid
  • the differently abled
  • person who is blind
  • the blind
  • person with a visual impairment
  • person with vision loss
  • the visually impaired
  • visually impaired person
  • the deaf
  • deaf
  • person who is deaf
  • hard of hearing
  • person who is hard of hearing
  • person with a hearing disability
  • the hard of hearing
  • hearing impaired
  • the hearing impaired
  • person who uses a wheelchair
  • confined to a wheelchair
  • person who is not disabled
  • normal

4.25.2 French terms

Use Do not use
  • Personne handicapée
  • Personne ayant une limitation fonctionnelle
  • Personne ayant une déficience
  • Personne ayant un handicap
  • Personne ayant une incapacité
  • Les handicapés
  • Un invalide
  • Un déficient
  • Un infirme
  • Personne souffrant d'un handicap
  • Personne aveugle
  • Un aveugle
  • Un handicapé visuel
  • Un non-voyant
  • Un malvoyant
  • Personne ayant une déficience visuelle
  • Personne ayant un handicap visuel
  • Un malvoyant
  • Personne malvoyante
  • Personne sourde
  • Personne qui est sourde
  • Personne malentendante
  • Personne ayant une déficience auditive
  • Les sourds
  • Les malentendants
  • Handicapé auditif
  • Personne en fauteuil roulant
  • Personne qui se déplace en fauteuil roulant
  • Personne qui utilise un fauteuil roulant
  • Confiné à un fauteuil roulant
  • Personne non handicapée
  • Personne n'ayant aucune déficience
  • Personne normale
  • Non-handicapé

4.26 Postal addresses

4.26.1 General rules

In English text, use the format in Canada Post Corporation's Addressing Guide, except for the capital letters element and respect the guidance provided in item 10.14 in The Canadian Style.

In French text, use the format in Canada Post Corporation's Guide sur l'adressage (also available in English) de Postes Canada and respect the guidance provided in item 8.1.4 of the Guide du rédacteur (only available in French).

For both languages, use one space between the city and the abbreviation for the province, which consists of two letters, and two spaces between that abbreviation and the postal code.

For information on official languages in addresses, read Bilingual place names.

English French
Saskatoon Tax Services Office
340 3rd Ave N
Saskatoon SK  S7K 0A8		 Bureau des services fiscaux de Saskatoon
340, 3e avenue Nord
Saskatoon SK  S7K 0A8
Northern B.C. and Yukon Tax Services Office
280 Victoria St
PO Box 7500 Stn A
Prince George BC  V2L 5N8		 Bureau des services fiscaux du Nord de la Colombie-Britannique et du Yukon
280, rue Victoria
Prince George BC  V2L 4X3
Rimouski Tax Services Office
Suite 101
180 de la Cathédrale Ave
Rimouski QC  G5L 5H9		 Bureau des services fiscaux de Rimouski
Pièce 101
180, avenue de la Cathédrale
Rimouski QC  G5L 5H9

4.26.2 Postal abbreviations for provinces and territories

Province / Territory Postal abbreviation
Alberta AB
British Columbia BC
Manitoba MB
New Brunswick NB
Newfoundland and Labrador NL
Northwest Territories NT
Nova Scotia NS
Nunavut NU
Ontario ON
Prince Edward Island PE
Quebec QC
Saskatchewan SK
Yukon YT
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4.27 Pronouns and possessive adjectives

If possible, personalize your text by addressing your reader directly in the second person (you and your, and in French: vous and votre) instead of using pronouns such as he and she (in French il, elle, ils, and elles), and possessive adjectives such as his, and her (in French, son or sa). This will help you avoid sexist language.

In English text, if you cannot use the second person, you can avoid using pronouns that refer to gender by pluralizing. Instead of writing "...the taxfiler has to file his return," you can write "...taxfilers have to file their returns."

In English text, you can use they and them as singular pronouns, and their as a possessive adjective. However, if you choose to use them this way, make sure you apply this singular case consistently throughout your document. Do not alternate between these forms and the singular he and she, and his and her.

4.28 Quotation marks

In English text, use the North American style, with periods and commas placed before the closing quotation mark:

  • "Under the Canadian tax system, the government relies on taxpayers to pay what they owe," said Michel Dorais, Commissioner of the CRA.
  • The data that you enter will prompt one of the following responses: "Registered," "Not registered," or "Insufficient information entered."
  • Please see line 255, "Northern residents deductions."

In French text, writers must use chevrons (« REER ») instead of quotation marks and must respect the following punctuation rules:

  • If you wish to quote a couple of words, a sentence fragment, or an incomplete sentence, only quote the words that are truly part of the quotation. The rest of the sentence punctuation must remain outside of the quotes. Punctuation must always be placed outside de quotation marks, unless they are part of the quote itself : 

    • Ils ont dit que le projet était « intéressant », sans préciser davantage.

  • The article, the possessive adjective, the demonstrative adjective, the preposition or the conjunction that was used to introduce the quotation must remain outside of the quotes:

    • Le maire a reconnu que l'administration municipale était responsable de l'« erreur ».

Use quotation marks only when you are quoting something. If you want to highlight a term within text, use bold:

  • A factual resident has to calculate federal income tax.

Do not place linked items in quotation marks. You can use quotation marks to identify a title or an item to which you are not linking:

  • Log in to My Account and select "RRSP" to find out how much you can deduct.

4.29 Special characters

4.29.1 Currency

Use the following symbols to differentiate between Canadian and U.S. currency:

English French
CAN$1,000 1 000 $CAN
US$1,000 1 000 $US

4.29.2 Ampersand (&)

In English text, the ampersand (&) has traditionally been used as a space-saving device in tables and notes, and in business names like Johnson & Johnson and H&R Block. Except when it is part of commonly accepted abbreviations like R&D (research and development), do not use it as a substitute for and in documents or organizational titles. Also read item 1.18 in The Canadian Style.

In French text, the ampersand can be used for social reasons (e.g., la Société L. Miron & Cie), but it's use is discouraged in all other contexts where « et » should be used instead.

4.29.3 e.g. et p. ex.

In English text, avoid using e.g., (the abbreviation of exempli gratis meaning for example). Instead, use for example followed by a comma. In French text, par exemple can be abbreviated with: "p. ex. :"

4.29.4 i.e., etc.

In English text:

  • Avoid using i.e., (the abbreviation of id est meaning that is). Instead, use that is followed by a comma.
  • Do not use etc. (the abbreviation for and so on). Instead, try to preface the preceding series or examples with a phrase like such as or including.

4.29.5 Number (No.)

In English text, use No. and Nos. as the abbreviations for number and numbers, and not the pound sign (#). In French text, use no et nos as the abbreviations for numéro and numéros.

4.29.6 Percentage (%)

In English text, present all percentage numbers in figures, not as written words, and use the % symbol instead of the words per cent or percent.

For French text, respect the following guidance:

Represent the percentage either by a p. preceded by a space and followed by a space and the number one hundred (30 p. 100) or by the % symbol preceded by a space (30 % and not 30%). Percentages using % symbol (30 %) tend to be the most common and are mandatory in finance, statistics and tables. In text using a more fluid style, percentages can be written as: 30 pour 100 or 30 p. 100.

4.30 Telephone numbers

  • For toll-free numbers, format as follows: 1-800-567-8910
  • If the phone number is not toll free, format as follows: 613-567-8910

Make sure telephone numbers are not split between two lines.

Do not use the term toll free before or after 1-800 numbers.

Generally, do not preface telephone numbers with phrases like, "To get a tax return, call our General Enquiries line at 1-800-959-2221." Instead, say: "To get a tax return, call 1-800-959-2221." However, if you are providing numbers for more than one area, use your judgement to determine whether or not to identify each area:

  • Call our automated Tax Information Phone Service (T.I.P.S.) at 1-800-267-6999 or our individual income tax enquiries line at 1-800-959-8281.

In a Web document, try not to refer readers to a telephone number to order publications. Link to the document in question.

4.31 Web addresses

When you refer to an institution's Web site in English publications, use the English domain name. Use the French domain name in French publications.

If you are not hyperlinking the address, you can use bold to distinguish it from the rest of the text When a Web address occurs at the end of a sentence that stands alone or is the last sentence in a paragraph, use a colon before the address or a period after it:.

  • You can download the form from our Web site at: www.url.gc.ca/form123
  • This publication is also available at www.url.gc.ca.

If the sentence is followed by another sentence, use a period after the address:

  • You will find more information about this program on our Web site at www.url.gc.ca. You can also call our toll-free enquiries line.
  • You can get more information about the Community Volunteer Program at www.url.gc.ca/volunteer. We offer free training sessions to teach you how to complete basic forms.

Do not format any punctuation that follows a Web address in bold or as part of a hyperlink.

You can often avoid using punctuation before or after an address by presenting it in the body of a sentence:
  • For more information, visit our Web site at www.url.gc.ca or call your government services office.
  • Visit www.url.gc.ca/careers to find out more about career opportunities with this institution.

Whenever possible, use a friendly URL (a friendly), and be sure to not include English words/acronyms with French friendlies or French words/acronyms with English friendlies.

4.32 Web instructions

Do not use phrases like click on and click the because they are device-dependent and inaccurate for keyboard users. Instead use select or select the.

Avoid spatial directions such as select the button to the left since a client using a screen reader would be unable to determine what left is. Similarly, avoid describing the physical appearance of the target, since select the square red button would mean considerably less to a client using a screen reader than select the submit button.

You can use quotation marks to identify a title or an item to which you are not linking:

  • Log in to My Account and select "RRSP" to find out how much you can deduct.
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4.33 Words to avoid/Alternative words

4.33.1 Words and expressions in English

Complex words and expressions to avoid Simpler words and expressions to use instead
above-noted above
according to our records our records show
accordingly so
acquire buy, get
additional more
adjacent next to
admissible allowed, accepted
advise say, tell, inform, notify
advise you let you know, tell you
affix add, write, fasten, stick on
afford an opportunity let, allow
aggregate total
alternatively or
amendment change
anticipate expect
approximately about
as a means of to
as of starting on, beginning on, from
as regards about
assist help
assistance help
by reference to by referring to
cease finish, stop, end
commence start, begin
computation or compute calculation or calculate
concerning about, on
consequence result
consequently so
constitute be, make up, form
consult talk to, meet, see
cumulative total
defer delay
disseminate send, distribute
documentation documents
during such time while
elect choose
endeavour try
enquire ask
entitled called
equivalent equal
exceed is more than
facilitate help, make possible
failure to if you do not
following after
for the duration of during, while
for the purpose of to, for
forward send
furthermore also
generate produce, give, make
implement carry out, do
in accordance with according to
in addition to and, as well as, also
in all respects in all ways
in determination of when determining
in excess of more than
in lieu of instead of
in order that so that
in receipt of get, have, receive
in relation to about
in respect of about, for
in the event that if
indicate state, give, include, write, show
initial first
initiate begin, start
instances cases
insufficient not enough
is applicable applies to
is under no obligation is not obliged
moreover and, also, as well
must be sure to, remember to, or have to
necessitate require
nevertheless but, however
no later than before
normally usually, regularly, generally
notwithstanding even if, despite, still
obtain get, receive
on behalf of for
on receipt of when we/you get
on the part of by
outstanding unpaid
partially partly
perform services provide services
permissible allowed
portion part
possess have, own
preceding previous, earlier, before, last
primarily mainly
prior to before
proportion part
provide give
provide x with y send y to x
provide you with give you
provided that if, as long as
purchase buy
pursuant to under, because of
refer to see
referred to as called
relating to about
remittance payment
remuneration pay, salary, wages
request ask for
require need, want
restriction limit
retain keep
revised new, changed
solely only
subject to depending on, under
subject to taxation taxable under or have to pay tax
submit send, give
subsequent later
subsequent to after
sufficient enough
taxation year or system tax year or system
the manner in which how
the utilization the use
thereafter then, afterwards
thereby by that, because of that
therein in that, there
thereof of that
thereto to that
through the application of by applying
thus so, therefore
titled called
to be implemented to take effect
to date so far, up to now
under the provisions of under
undersigned I, we
undertake agree, promise, do
until such time until
upon receipt of when, after we receive
utilize use
whereas but
with reference to for, about, on
with regard to for, about, on
with respect to for, about, on

4.33.2 Words and expressions in French

Nouns
Complex nouns to avoid Simpler nouns to use instead
Accroissement Augmentation, hausse
Admissibilité Être accepté
Allocution Discours
Antécédents médicaux Dossier médical, renseignements médicaux
Compensation Montant, prime, somme
Concertation Entente, accord
Date de rupture Interruption, arrêt
Contrat matrimonial est régi par la loi Le contrat de mariage dépend de la loi ou est lié à la loi
Délai de carence Période d'attente
Demande de règlement Demande de paiement
Dispositions Règles, mesures
Dossiers impératifs Dossiers très importants
Échéancier Calendrier des dates de remise
Estimation Aperçu, évaluation
Exonération de la prime Libération, exemption. Ex. : Vous n'avez plus besoin de payer la prime
Gains d'emploi Salaire
Gains non ajustés ouvrant droit à pension Revenus servant à calculer la pension
Historique Donner dans l'ordre les faits passés ou donner les faits comme ils se sont passés
Indemnisation Paiement
Indexation Ajustement
Méthodologie Méthode
Nombre excessif de Trop de
Nombre suffisant, suffisamment Assez de
Parachèvement Fin
Planification Organisation selon un plan
Problématique Problème, difficultés
Processus stratégique Développer des manières de faire
Rapports périodiques Rapport tous les jours, toutes les semaines, tous les mois
Recherche préliminaire Une première recherche
Rémunération Salaire
Renseignements supplémentaires/additionnels Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements
Requête Demande
Rétroactivité À partir de...(date)
Sommaire Résumé, aperçu
Sommes investies Argent placé
Volume de travail Quantité de travail, charge de travail
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Verbes
Complex verbs to avoid Simpler verbs to use instead
Accomplir Faire, réaliser
Accroître Augmenter
Acheminer Envoyer, faire parvenir
Actualiser le plan d'action Mettre à jour, moderniser
Administrer les demandes Traiter les demandes
Affirmer Assurer, déclarer
Agréer (veuillez agréer) Recevez, acceptez
Alléguer Donner des raisons
Anticiper Avant le temps
Avoir des conséquences Influencer, se répercuter
Avoir une incidence Il faut tourner la phrase autrement. Exemple :
AVANT - les changements de taux d'intérêt peuvent avoir une incidence sur la prime

APRÈS - la prime peut varier à cause des changements de taux...
Défrayer les déplacements Rembourser les dépenses de voyage, ou de déplacement
Diversifier Varier
Donner des éclaircissements Clarifier ou préciser
Effectuer Faire, accomplir
Émettre Donner
Être assujetti Il faut tourner la phrase autrement. Exemple :
AVANT - L'exercice d'une option en vertu de la garantie d'assurabilité n'est plus assujetti à l'exclusion relative à la participation à des activités dangereuses.

APRÈS - Les activités dangereuses ne sont plus une cause d'exclusion pour l'exercice... ou

Participer à des activités dangereuses donne quand même droit à l'exercice d'une option
Être conscient du fait que... Comprendre
Finaliser Finir
Formuler une recommandation Recommander
Il appert que Il apparaît que, il est évident que, il semble que
Prendre acte de Prendre bonne note
Faire un redressement Corriger la situation
Libeller un chèque Faire un chèque
Majorer Augmenter
Octroyer Accorder
Omettre un renseignement Négliger de donner, oublier un renseignement
Parapher Inscrire ses initiales
Permettre une meilleure compréhension Permettre de mieux comprendre
Porter à la connaissance de Informer ou faire connaître
Prévaloir (se) Tirer avantage, utiliser
Radier Éliminer
Reconsidérer Revoir, réviser
Recouvrer les cotisations Recevoir un montant dû, une somme due
Rectifier Corriger
Renoncer Refuser
Réorienter Guider dans une nouvelle direction, prendre une nouvelle direction
Requérir Demander
Révoquer Annuler
S'étaler Durer jusqu'à
Solliciter Demander
Soumettre Présenter
Statuer Décider, prendre une décision
Stipuler Mentionner, prévoir, préciser, indiquer
Subir des dommages Avoir des dommages
Transmettre Donner, fournir, faire parvenir, communiquer
Travailler en partenariat Travailler ensemble, travailler en équipe
Diversifier Varier
Veuillez prendre note Notez


Adjectives and adverbes
Complex adjectives and adverbs Simpler adjectives and adverbs to use instead
Adéquatement Juste, convenable
Afférent Qui se rattache à, qui appartient à
Antérieur Avant
Approximatif Environ, près de
Apte Capable
Conformément à Selon, d'après
Distinct Différent
Dûment Bien
 Effectivement En effet
Énoncé   (Ex. : les modifications énoncées) Mentionné, indiqué, précisé...
Éventuel Possible
Explicitement Clairement
Fréquemment Souvent
Inhérent Propre à
Initial Au début, le premier
Nombre excessif de Trop de
Nombre suffisant, suffisamment Assez de
Officiellement Connu, réel, annoncé
Particulièrement En particulier
Postérieur Futur, à venir
Postérieurement Après
Préalable Avant, d'abord
Préalablement Avant
Précédent Avant
Précisément (Ex. : déterminer plus précisément) Préciser
Progressivement Peu à peu
Régulièrement De façon régulière
Relatif à Au sujet de, du, sur, de, concernant
Ex. : Nous avons procédé à une nouvelle étude de votre dossier relatif à l'accident...
Proposition : Nous avons étudié votre dossier (au sujet de, concernant) l'accident...
Relativement Assez
Relativement à Quant à, par rapport à
Renseignements supplémentaires/additionnels Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements
Rétrogradé Ramené à, ramené au point de départ
Simultanément En même temps
Stipulé    Mentionné, prévu, précisé, indiqué...
Subséquemment Après
Suffisamment Assez
Systématique De façon précise, complète, habituelle, uniforme
Trop-perçu Reçu en trop, versé en trop, en trop


Other expressions
Complex expressions to avoid Simpler expressions to use instead
Au niveau de Au sujet de, sur, dans, de
Au préalable Avant
Au sein de Dans
Aux fins de Pour
Cas échéant Alors, si c'est le cas, à ce moment, s'il y a lieu, s'il y en a un, si l'occasion se présente, si vous avez...
Conformément à Selon, d'après
Dans la mesure où Si
Dans le but de Pour
Dans le cadre de À l'occasion de, dans les limites de
En ce qui concerne Pour (si ça convient dans la phrase)
En conséquence, par conséquent Alors, à cause de
En vertu de Selon, d'après
Nonobstant Malgré
Par ailleurs D'un autre point de vue
Sujet à changement Peut changer

5.0 Other reference material

For more information, consult the following references.

5.1 Dictionaries

5.1.1 English dictionaries

  • Canadian Oxford Dictionary
  • Gage Canadian Dictionary
  • ITP Nelson Canadian Dictionary
  • Oxford English Dictionary
  • Webster's New World College Dictionary
  • Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary

5.1.2 French dictionaries

  • Le Petit Larousse
  • Le nouveau Petit Robert
  • Multidictionnaire de la langue française

5.2 Writing guides

For more information on grammar, style, and plain language, consult the following references.

5.2.1 English guides

  • The Gregg Reference Manual, 10th edition
  • The Canadian Style
  • Editing Canadian English
  • Plain Language: Clear and Simple (catalogue no. Ci53-3/3-1991E) from Canadian Government Publishing at 613-941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943
  • Language Portal of Canada

5.2.2 French guides