path: root/doc/development/documentation/styleguide/word_list.md

---
stage: none
group: Style Guide
info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
description: 'Writing styles, markup, formatting, and other standards for GitLab Documentation.'
---

# A-Z word list

To help ensure consistency in the documentation, follow this guidance.

For guidance not on this page, we defer to these style guides:

- [Microsoft Style Guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/welcome/)
- [Google Developer Documentation Style Guide](https://developers.google.com/style)

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## above

Try to avoid extra words when referring to an example or table in a documentation page, but if required, use **previously** instead.

## admin, admin area

Use **administration**, **administrator**, **administer**, or **Admin Area** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`Admin.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/Admin.yml))

## allow, enable

Try to avoid, unless you are talking about security-related features. For example:

- Avoid: This feature allows you to create a pipeline.
- Use instead: Use this feature to create a pipeline.

This phrasing is more active and is from the user perspective, rather than the person who implemented the feature.
[View details in the Microsoft style guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/a/allow-allows).

## and/or

Instead of **and/or**, use or or rewrite the sentence to spell out both options.

## below

Try to avoid extra words when referring to an example or table in a documentation page, but if required, use **following** instead.

## blacklist

Do not use. Another option is **denylist**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionCultural.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionCultural.yml))

## currently

Do not use when talking about the product or its features. The documentation describes the product as it is today. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`CurrentStatus.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/CurrentStatus.yml))

## Developer

When writing about the Developer role:

- Use a capital **D**.
- Do not use the phrase, **if you are a developer** to mean someone who is assigned the Developer
  role. Instead, write it out. For example, **if you are assigned the Developer role**.
- To describe a situation where the Developer role is the minimum required:
  - Avoid: **the Developer role or higher**
  - Use instead: **at least the Developer role**

Do not use **Developer permissions**. A user who is assigned the Developer role has a set of associated permissions.

## disable

See [the Microsoft style guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/d/disable-disabled) for guidance.
Use **inactive** or **off** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionAbleism.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionAbleism.yml))

## easily

Do not use. If the user doesn't find the process to be easy, we lose their trust.

## e.g.

Do not use Latin abbreviations. Use **for example**, **such as**, **for instance**, or **like** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`LatinTerms.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/LatinTerms.yml))

## email

Do not use **e-mail** with a hyphen. When plural, use **emails** or **email messages**.

## enable

See [the Microsoft style guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/e/enable-enables) for guidance.
Use **active** or **on** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionAbleism.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionAbleism.yml))

## future tense

When possible, use present tense instead. For example, use `after you execute this command, GitLab displays the result` instead of `after you execute this command, GitLab will display the result`. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`FutureTense.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/FutureTense.yml))

## GitLab

Do not make possessive (GitLab's). This guidance follows [GitLab Brand Guidelines](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/corporate-marketing/brand-activation/brand-guidelines/#trademark).

### GitLab.com

Refers to the GitLab instance managed by GitLab itself.

### GitLab SaaS

Refers to the product license that provides access to GitLab.com. Does not refer to the
GitLab instance managed by GitLab itself.

### GitLab self-managed

Refers to the product license for GitLab instances managed by customers themselves.

## Guest

When writing about the Guest role:

- Use a capital **G**.
- Do not use the phrase, **if you are a guest** to mean someone who is assigned the Guest
  role. Instead, write it out. For example, **if you are assigned the Guest role**.
- To describe a situation where the Guest role is the minimum required:
  - Avoid: **the Guest role or higher**
  - Use instead: **at least the Guest role**

Do not use **Guest permissions**. A user who is assigned the Guest role has a set of associated permissions.

## handy

Do not use. If the user doesn't find the feature or process to be handy, we lose their trust.

## high availability, HA

Do not use. Instead, direct readers to the GitLab [reference architectures](../../../administration/reference_architectures/index.md) for information about configuring GitLab for handling greater amounts of users.

## I

Do not use first-person singular. Use **you**, **we**, or **us** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`FirstPerson.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/FirstPerson.yml))

## i.e.

Do not use Latin abbreviations. Use **that is** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`LatinTerms.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/LatinTerms.yml))

## Maintainer

When writing about the Maintainer role:

- Use a capital **M**.
- Do not use the phrase, **if you are a maintainer** to mean someone who is assigned the Maintainer
  role. Instead, write it out. For example, **if you are assigned the Maintainer role**.
- To describe a situation where the Maintainer role is the minimum required:
  - Avoid: **the Maintainer role or higher**
  - Use instead: **at least the Maintainer role**

Do not use **Maintainer permissions**. A user who is assigned the Maintainer role has a set of associated permissions.

## mankind

Do not use. Use **people** or **humanity** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionGender.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionGender.yml))

## manpower

Do not use. Use words like **workforce** or **GitLab team members**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionGender.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionGender.yml))

## master

Do not use. Options are **primary** or **main**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionCultural.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionCultural.yml))

## may, might

**Might** means something has the probability of occurring. **May** gives permission to do something. Consider **can** instead of **may**.

## me, myself, mine

Do not use first-person singular. Use **you**, **we**, or **us** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`FirstPerson.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/FirstPerson.yml))

## merge requests

Lowercase. If you use **MR** as the acronym, spell it out on first use.

## Owner

When writing about the Owner role:

- Use a capital **O**.
- Do not use the phrase, **if you are an owner** to mean someone who is assigned the Owner
  role. Instead, write it out. For example, **if you are assigned the Owner role**.

Do not use **Owner permissions**. A user who is assigned the Owner role has a set of associated permissions.

## permissions

Do not use roles and permissions interchangeably. Each user is assigned a role. Each role includes a set of permissions.

## please

Do not use. For details, see the [Microsoft style guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/a-z-word-list-term-collections/p/please).

## profanity

Do not use. Doing so may negatively affect other users and contributors, which is contrary to the GitLab value of [Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/values/#diversity-inclusion).

## Reporter

When writing about the Reporter role:

- Use a capital **R**.
- Do not use the phrase, **if you are a reporter** to mean someone who is assigned the Reporter
  role. Instead, write it out. For example, **if you are assigned the Reporter role**.
- To describe a situation where the Reporter role is the minimum required:
  - Avoid: **the Reporter role or higher**
  - Use instead: **at least the Reporter role**

Do not use **Reporter permissions**. A user who is assigned the Reporter role has a set of associated permissions.

## roles

Do not use roles and permissions interchangeably. Each user is assigned a role. Each role includes a set of permissions.

## sanity check

Do not use. Use **check for completeness** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionAbleism.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionAbleism.yml))

## scalability

Do not use when talking about increasing GitLab performance for additional users. The words scale or scaling are sometimes acceptable, but references to increasing GitLab performance for additional users should direct readers to the GitLab [reference architectures](../../../administration/reference_architectures/index.md) page.

## setup, set up

Use **setup** as a noun, and **set up** as a verb. For example:

- Your remote office setup is amazing.
- To set up your remote office correctly, consider the ergonomics of your work area.

## simply, simple

Do not use. If the user doesn't find the process to be simple, we lose their trust.

## slashes

Instead of **and/or**, use **or** or re-write the sentence. This rule also applies to other slashes, like **follow/unfollow**. Some exceptions (like **CI/CD**) are allowed.

## slave

Do not use. Another option is **secondary**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionCultural.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionCultural.yml))

## subgroup

Use instead of **sub-group**.

## that

Do not use. For example: 

- Avoid: The file that you save...
- Use instead: The file you save...

## they

Avoid the use of gender-specific pronouns, unless referring to a specific person.
Use a singular [they](https://developers.google.com/style/pronouns#gender-neutral-pronouns) as
a gender-neutral pronoun.

## useful

Do not use. If the user doesn't find the process to be useful, we lose their trust.

## utilize

Do not use. Use **use** instead. It's more succinct and easier for non-native English speakers to understand.

## via

Do not use Latin abbreviations. Use **with**, **through**, or **by using** instead. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`LatinTerms.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/LatinTerms.yml))

## we

Try to avoid **we** and focus instead on how the user can accomplish something in GitLab.

- Avoid: We created a feature for you to add widgets.
- Instead, use: Use widgets when you have work you want to organize.

One exception: You can use **we recommend** instead of **it is recommended** or **GitLab recommends**.

## whitelist

Do not use. Another option is **allowlist**. ([Vale](../testing.md#vale) rule: [`InclusionCultural.yml`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/master/doc/.vale/gitlab/InclusionCultural.yml))

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