Which phrases should be avoided in Specification Text?

Which phrases should be avoided in Specification Text?

• A. As per, As required, Any
• B. Must follow, Should
• C. In accordance with, Hereby
• D. Therefore, Thus

Answer: (A)

In Specification Text, writing should be precise, enforceable, and free of vague qualifiers that can be interpreted differently by different readers. The phrases “As per,” “As required,” and “Any” tend to create ambiguity: “As per” points to another document without clearly tying the requirement to a specific standard or clause; “As required” leaves who determines what is required up to interpretation; and “Any” opens the door to broad, unspecific options, making it unclear exactly what is acceptable or required. Replacing these with direct, defined language helps ensure everyone reads the same obligation, such as stating the exact standard, code, or drawing reference and prescribing the concrete action or material. For context, other phrases like “In accordance with” can be clearer than “as per,” and words like “Hereby” or simple logical connectors don’t themselves introduce vague requirements, so they’re less problematic in the same way. The combination of vague references, undefined requirements, and open-ended terms is what makes the first set the best answer to avoid.

In Specification Text, writing should be precise, enforceable, and free of vague qualifiers that can be interpreted differently by different readers. The phrases “As per,” “As required,” and “Any” tend to create ambiguity: “As per” points to another document without clearly tying the requirement to a specific standard or clause; “As required” leaves who determines what is required up to interpretation; and “Any” opens the door to broad, unspecific options, making it unclear exactly what is acceptable or required. Replacing these with direct, defined language helps ensure everyone reads the same obligation, such as stating the exact standard, code, or drawing reference and prescribing the concrete action or material. For context, other phrases like “In accordance with” can be clearer than “as per,” and words like “Hereby” or simple logical connectors don’t themselves introduce vague requirements, so they’re less problematic in the same way. The combination of vague references, undefined requirements, and open-ended terms is what makes the first set the best answer to avoid.