Word list

The words to use in an interface built on Thykes, the ones to avoid, and the reason for each.

The list

Preferred words are the canonical choice. Avoid words have a better replacement. Use with caution words are right only in the situation the note names.

All

Preferred

Avoid

Use with caution

Word or phrase	Status	Notes
Log in	Preferred	For an existing account. Pairs with Log out.
Sign in	Avoid	Use Log in.
Sign up	Preferred	Creates a new account.
Register	Avoid	Use Sign up.
Remove	Preferred	Takes an item out of a list. The item still exists.
Delete	Use with caution	Destroys the item. Ask first and name it: Delete 'cat shirt'?
Clear	Preferred	Empties a field or a selection.
Cancel	Use with caution	Discards unsaved changes. Warn about the loss.
Close	Preferred	Leaves a view with nothing to save.
Done	Use with caution	Only when the changes are already saved.
OK	Avoid	Name the next action instead: Retry, View, Save changes.
Yes, No	Avoid	Name both outcomes: Delete campaign, Keep editing.
Submit	Avoid	Name the outcome: Save changes, Send message.
Execute	Avoid	Use Run.
Continue	Avoid	Use Next, or name the destination: Continue to billing.
Previous	Avoid	Use Back.
Please	Use with caution	Only when the reader is genuinely inconvenienced.
Sorry	Use with caution	Only for real harm or data loss.
Something went wrong	Avoid	Name what failed and how to fix it.
Invalid	Avoid	Say what to enter: Enter a valid email address.
Click here	Avoid	Label the destination: Download user guide.
Learn more	Use with caution	Add the topic: Learn more about billing. One per screen.
Simply, just, easy	Avoid	Value judgments, not information. Cut them.
And/or	Avoid	Pick one, or rewrite the sentence.
Tomorrow	Avoid	Name the day: on Monday. Many people read it on a different day.