Use concise language

While flowery or poetic language may have its place in literature, it can lead to confusion and frustration in a user interface. Resist the temptation to embellish or overcomplicate your text. Forget about traditional grammar rules that emphasize complete sentences and instead focus on small, scannable phrases. You might even consider omitting articles and prepositions where they don't add clarity.

Compare these two instructions: “Please click on the button to continue” versus “Click to continue.” Both provide the same directive, but the latter is more concise and user-friendly.

Users are often navigating interfaces quickly, seeking information or trying to complete a task. Long paragraphs and complex sentences can overwhelm them, leading to disengagement.