How to Write Clearer Sentences: 9 Practical Rules

Updated: 2026-11-02

Clear writing isn't about fancy words. It's about making the reader's job easy. These nine rules work in any language.

1. One idea per sentence

If a sentence needs two “and”s and a “which”, split it.

2. Aim for 15–20 words

Average sentence length is the strongest single predictor of readability. Mix short and medium sentences; flag anything over 25 words.

3. Put the main point first

Start with the conclusion, then explain. Readers on phones often stop after the first line.

4. Prefer active verbs

5. Cut filler words

“In order to” → “to”. “At this point in time” → “now”. “Due to the fact that” → “because”.

6. Use the reader's words

Write “price”, not “pricing structure”; “buy”, not “purchase”, unless your readers use those words.

7. Use lists for steps and options

Three or more parallel items are easier to scan as a list.

8. Keep paragraphs short

On screens, 2–4 sentences per paragraph is plenty.

9. Read it aloud

If you run out of breath or stumble, rewrite the sentence. The text to speech tool reads your draft back to you, and the text cleaner fixes messy spacing before you publish.

Sources: Plain Language Action and Information Network, “Federal Plain Language Guidelines”; Flesch R., “A new readability yardstick”, Journal of Applied Psychology, 1948; UK Government Digital Service, “Writing for GOV.UK”.

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