GOV.UK websites are to stop using three Latin abbreviation phrases; ‘eg’, ‘ie’ and ‘etc’. The GOV.UK website promotes the use of plain English with the aim to ensure all content uses simple and clear language. Even though these terms are commonly used and are part of our cultural heritage, they are not easily understood by all and GOV.UK believe there are better and clearer ways of introducing examples instead of just using ‘e.g.’.

 

To enable this change, the Government Digital Service (GDS) has changed its style guide to the following: 

eg, etc and ie

‘eg’ can sometimes be read aloud as ‘egg’ by screen reading software. Instead use ‘for example’ or ‘such as’ or 'like' or ‘including’ - whichever works best in the specific context.

‘etc’ can usually be avoided. Try using ‘for example’ or ‘such as’ or ‘including’. Never use ‘etc’ at the end of a list starting with ‘for example’ or ‘such as’ or ‘including’.

‘ie’ - used to clarify a sentence - isn’t always well understood. Try (re)writing sentences to avoid the need to use it. If that isn’t possible, use an alternative such as ‘meaning’ or ‘that is’.

 

Users of GOV.UK will not see an immediate change as even though they are making their content designers across the government aware and the phrases will not be used in new content, older content will be changed over time when existing pages are updated.  

 

In today’s digital age, style guides and content rules are frequently updated to ensure a brand’s web presence is accurate. However, keeping up with these changes can be difficult, with these ever changing content requirements the first issue many digital managers come across is locating the now incorrect content, which has previously been published on their site. This immense task is often impractical to do manually, and once an often astonishing amount of time has been spent on finding this content the next issue is just as daunting – preventing new content from being published incorrectly.

 

Nevertheless, these tasks don’t have to be as intimidating as first thought if automation is brought into the process. Automation allows digital managers to have a better overall view of their content. The location of incorrect content can be found quickly and efficiently with no areas of the site being overlooked. In addition to this with the implementation of inCMS rules can be created to stop new content from being published incorrectly. By using automation not only is your brand protected, content standards improved and issues prevented but you will also be saving time and reducing support and training by 86 per cent. 

 

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