deal with 
Too vague. Use a more specific verb such as cover, examine, include, or explore. 

This course explores the history and development of freedom of speech. (not This course deals with free speech.)

dialogue 
Often misused as a verb, this noun refers to conversations between two or more parties.

We need to discuss [not dialogue about] the new building plans.

diversity 
Already trite. Think before you use it. If it's an important part of your message, consider using alternatives such as variety, differences, heterogeneity, or multiformity. 

The variety and depth our academic programs are unmatched in this state.

effectively or in effect 
Effectively is an adverb describing how the action of the verb takes place. It isn't synonymous with the parenthetical phrase in effect.

The committee members worked together effectively.


By giving higher education $10 million more but asking the faculty to teach the same number of students, the legislature is, in effect [not effectively], cutting our budget.

employ 
Reserve this verb for what employers do.

The university employs thousands of faculty and staff members.


but: 
He used [not employed] three equations to solve the problem.

experiential 
Jargon. Specify the type of experience.

These internships provide practical field experience. (not These internships are experiential.)

the fact that 
Wasted words. Omit them.

feedback 
Jargon. Use response, results, evaluation, report, data, or opinion. 

We value your opinions. (not Your feedback is needed.)

feel 
Reserve this verb for sensory or emotional feelings; use think or believe elsewhere.

I feel queasy.


but: 
I think that . . . or I believe that . . .

first-come, first-served 
This is the correct form of this cliché, but you'd do better to rewrite the idea.

Early applicants receive top priority. (not Acceptance of applications is on a first-come, first-served basis.)

hands-on 
A cliché. Try practical, or draw a word picture that isn't so trite.

You'll use a Power Macintosh to learn basic desktop publishing skills. (not You'll receive hands-on instruction about desktop publishing.)

head up 
Jargon. Use direct or lead. 

Experienced river guides lead [not head up] the raft expeditions.

hopefully 
An adverb that describes how the action of the verb takes place. It isn't synonymous with I hope, we hope, or it is hoped. 

He opened his grade report hopefully.


I hope [not Hopefully,] this will be published before school starts.

importantly 
Nonstandard except as an adverb. Use important. 

The clown strutted importantly.


but: 
More important [not More importantly], we need to have the money within the next two weeks.

innovative 
A cliché. Is it really true of your program? If so, rewrite to illustrate how it is innovative.

in order to 
Wordy. You can usually omit in order. 

We laugh to [not in order to] keep from crying.

input 
Jargon except in reference to computers. Use information or opinion. 

We value your opinions about this project. (not Your input is needed.)

interface 
In the context of computers, this is fine. For people, use communicate or talk. 

The committee members need to communicate [not interface] with each other.

involve 
Too vague. Use a more specific verb such as cover, include, or explore. 

The course examines how employment legislation pertains to affirmative-action and equal-employment opportunity. (not The course involves employment legislation and human resources policies.)

irregardless 
Nonstandard. Use regardless. 

Regardless [not Irregardless] of the frigid temperature, the students wore shorts in the snow.

like 
Means 'similar to.' Use such as instead of like to introduce examples.

This question is like that one.


but: 
The interior uses brown tones such as [not like] beige, taupe, and rust.

momentarily 
Means 'for the duration of a moment' or 'briefly.' When you mean 'after a brief period of time has elapsed,' use soon or in a few minutes or any time now. 

Corey surfaced momentarily to take a breath.


but: 
The director will be able to see you soon.

one-on-one 
A nonsexist version of man-to-man, suitable for describing a type of sports-team defense. In other contexts it's an impersonal cliché. Use more specific language.

Individual tutors train students in equipment use and safety. (not The program offers one-on-one training.)

ongoing 
Jargon. Use continuing or omit.

The institute supports new and continuing [not ongoing] research.

output 
Jargon except in reference to computers. Use results elsewhere.

What results [not output] do you expect?

persons 
Too often an awkward replacement for people. 

Keep telling yourself as well as other people [not persons] that we have a problem we can solve together.

plus 
Use only in adding units. Otherwise, use in addition, also, or and. 

Earning 4 credits in biology plus 8 credits in physics fulfills the science requirement.


but: 
Transfer students may need to take an entrance examination and [not plus] additional course work.

presently 
Means 'soon.' Use now, currently, or at present when you mean 'at this time.'

Many students live off campus now.


At present the enrollment stands at 17,300.

prior or before 
Prior is correct when used as an adjective meaning 'earlier in time or place.'Before is correct when used as a preposition.

Prior approval is required.


but: 
Take algebra before you take calculus.


Turn it in before noon.


Don't put the cart before the horse.

quality 
A meaningless cliché when used alone to modify a noun, as in quality education. Quality doesn't imply something positive; it needs a modifier to explain the kind of quality. Is it 'top quality'? 'low quality'? 'mediocre quality'? Better yet, leave it out and illustrate the quality of what you're describing.

University of Oregon teams have won twelve National Collegiate Athletic Association championships in track and field and in cross-country. (not The University of Oregon has quality track-and-field and cross-country teams.)

reason why 
Redundant. Use reason alone or omit entirely.

The reason [not reason why] you can't register in this class is that it's already full.


or: 
You can't register in this class because it's already full.

secondly or thirdly 
Nonstandard, just as firstly or eleventhly would be. Use second or third. 

First, be accurate. Second, be brief. Third, be prompt.

serve or service 
Both words can be used as verbs, but serve applies better to people and service to machines.

We try to serve our clients promptly.


but: 
The technician will service the photocopier tomorrow.

since 
Refers to intervening time and shouldn't be used in place of because.

It’s been several years since I read Madame Bovary.


but: 
I don't have the assignment because my roommate borrowed my computer.

state of the art 
A cliché. Don't use it. Instead, prove it by using an illustrative word picture.

'til or 'till 
Nonstandard. Use until or to or till. 

Wait until dark.


Associate Professor Steinmetz will conduct a seminar from 3:30 to 4:30 P.M.


We brainstormed till dawn.

today's global society 
An unnecessary cliché. Omit it.

towards 
British spelling. Use toward. 

unique 
A cliché meaning 'one of a kind.' Greatly overused. If what you are describing is truly unique, omit the cliché and illustrate specifically what makes it that way. Remember, too, that uniqueness isn't necessarily good. If your program's uniqueness is its strongest selling point, you need to show how it's unique and convince the reader that this is a positive attribute.

upcoming
Up- is unnecessary baggage. Use coming or another synonym.

Ask for a schedule of coming (not upcoming) events.

utilize 
Jargon. Use use. 

Students use the latest microcomputer software. (not The latest in microcomputer software is utilized.)

viable alternative 
A wordy cliché. Use alternative alone.

Try to suggest some alternative solutions [not viable alternatives].

which or that 
Although these two words are sometimes interchangeable, it's best to reserve which for unrestricted or independent clauses (those preceded by a comma) and that for restricted or dependent clauses.

Complete regulations are included in the UO Schedule of Classes, which is sold to each student before registration.


but: 
Remove only apples that are bruised from the display.

while 
Refers to simultaneous actions. It may be more precise to use although or but. 

I'll administer CPR while you dial 911.


but: 
I'll administer CPR, although I'm a novice.


I was a late bloomer, but you've always been a leader.

wish or desire 
Often stilted or overly precious as verbs. Use want or prefer for ordinary requests. Save wish for wishes (things that might not happen) and desire for desires (needs for emotional fulfillment).

If you want [not wish] to donate to the Annual Fund, please make out a check to the UO Foundation.


I prefer [not desire] to put my contribution on my American Express card.