Point of view
Use the second person "you/your" whenever you can. This way, your focus is on the user, and the product interaction feels more like a conversation.
Use the first person "I" when the user is agreeing to something. For example, a user can check a box reading, “I agree to the terms and conditions.”
Try to avoid using third person "he/she/they/it." Third person sounds formal and disconnected from the user.
Before | After |
|---|---|
Users can simplify their designs with PatternFly. | Simplify your designs with PatternFly. |
Voice
Active voice is when the subject of the sentence performs the action. Passive voice is when the subject of the sentence receives the action.
Use an active voice whenever possible. It makes a sentence shorter and gets the point across faster.
Before | After |
|---|---|
The book is being read by Matt. | Matt is reading the book. |
There are some occasions when passive voice is appropriate, like when you don’t wish to point out a subject or when you want to emphasize an action. Additionally, passive voice can help avoid assigning blame to a user, especially in error messages.
Before | After |
|---|---|
You entered the wrong password. | The password is incorrect. |
