This is an unpublished draft preview that might include content that is not yet approved. The published website is at w3.org/WAI/.

Use a simple tense and voice

Description

Use the tense and the voice is easiest to understand.

User Story

I easily understand the activities being described, who is involved and when.

What To Do

Use the tense and the voice is easiest to understand. In English this is usually the present tense and active voice. Speak directly to the user, and use the simplest form of verbs.

This will help ensure that content is accessible to people with lower reading levels as described in the WCAG Guideline 3.1.5 Reading Level

How It Helps

This benefits many people, including those with language impairments, learning disabilities or a poor memory.

Present tense makes it clear that an action is being, or should be, performed.

Active voice makes it clear who is supposed to do what.

More details

Examples

Sufficient

Use of present tense and active voice:

Insufficient

Use of passive voice and mixed tense:

Key Terms

? Coga is developing a list of terms so should we repeat here or simple link to it ?

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This is an unpublished draft preview that might include content that is not yet approved. The published website is at w3.org/WAI/.