Plain Language Conversion — Documents Everyone Can Read
Government and legal documents are full of stiff, formal jargon that has stuck around for decades. Phrases like 'pursuant to', 'notwithstanding', and 'heretofore' create real barriers for ordinary readers trying to understand a notice or a contract. Plain-language initiatives across the US government have long pushed for simpler substitutes. This tool bundles about 30 of the most common bureaucratic and legal terms into a built-in dictionary and swaps them for everyday wording wherever they appear in your text.
Example conversions:
- Pursuant to → According to
- Notwithstanding → Despite
- Heretofore → Before now
- The aforementioned → Mentioned earlier
- Shall → Must
Use cases:
- Drafting clearer government notices and public letters
- Reviewing contracts and terms of service for dense wording
- Helping first-time readers understand official documents
- Simplifying public agency website content
The substitutions follow common plain-language guidance, but nuance can shift with context, so always review the result before using it in a final document.
FAQ
No. It handles about 30 common bureaucratic and legal terms — like 'pursuant to' or 'notwithstanding' — using a built-in dictionary. Specialized legal or technical terms outside that list won't be converted.
It's helpful for simplifying government notices, official letters, and contract language so the average reader can understand them without a law degree.
The plain-language substitutes are based on standard plain-language guidance, but nuance can shift depending on context, so always review the result before using it in a final document.