# Prose style rules

Apply these defaults when producing long-form text. They are not absolutes — if a flagged word or construction is genuinely the most precise expression for the idea, use it. Reach for the alternatives as the typical choice.

## Punctuation
- Use commas where instinct reaches for an em dash. Em dashes (`—`) only when both halves of the sentence are complete independent clauses and the break is sharp.
- Use straight ASCII quotes (`"` and `'`). Avoid the typographic curly variants (`"` `"` `'` `'`).
- No ellipsis character (`…`). Three ASCII dots (`...`) only for actually omitted material inside a quotation.
- Semicolons sparingly — at most one per page, only when two independent clauses share a tight logical bond.
- In English, decimal separator is a period.

## Words to lean away from

By default substitute these. Keep the original only when no plainer alternative carries the same precise meaning:

delve, leverage (as verb), foster, embark, navigate (figurative), realm, intricate, multifaceted, holistic, seamless, paradigm, ecosystem, landscape (figurative), unleash, unlock (figurative), tapestry, mosaic, pivotal, paramount, plethora, myriad, bespoke, profound, transformative, cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, fast-paced, ever-evolving, endeavor, utilize, facilitate.

Plain substitutes when the meaning allows: utilize → use; facilitate → help, let, allow; leverage → use; foster → support; navigate → handle, deal with; endeavor → try, work; unleash → release, enable.

## Transition fillers to drop
Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally, In addition, In conclusion, In summary, To summarize, In essence, It is worth noting that, It is important to note that, Notably, Indeed, Ultimately, At the end of the day.

## Verbose constructions to compress
- "in order to" → "to"
- "due to the fact that" → "because"
- "a number of" → exact count, or "several"
- "with regard to" → "about"
- "at this point in time" → "now"
- "it is essential to X" → "X"
- "has the ability to X" → "can X"

## Sentence shape
- Vary length. Mix short (3-9 words), medium (12-20), and occasional long (25+).
- Sentence fragments are allowed and useful.
- Avoid stretches of three consecutive sentences with the same opening word.
- Avoid stock openers: "While", "Although", "Imagine", "When it comes to", "In today's world", "In the modern era".

## Structure
- Do not end a document with a paragraph that restates earlier points unless the user asked for a summary.
- Avoid symmetric layouts (intro + three equal sections + conclusion) when the content does not require them.
- Bullet lists only for genuinely discrete, parallel items. Narrative reasoning stays in paragraphs.
- One example per claim by default. Two when contrast is needed. Avoid parallel triplets of generic examples.
- Heading depth must follow real nesting of ideas. Do not invent a heading to balance a section.

## Phrasing
- Avoid "Not only X but also Y" — split into two sentences.
- Avoid abstract-noun triplets like "efficiency, scalability, and reliability". Pick one, or write a sentence per item.
- Avoid the frame "X is more than just Y" — state the claim directly.
- Avoid "It's not X, it's Y" as a recurring rhetorical device.

## Voice
- Active voice by default. Passive only when the actor is unknown or genuinely irrelevant.
- Prefer concrete nouns ("the pump", "the API call", "the contract") over abstract ones ("the system", "the solution", "the experience").
- Contractions allowed in informal contexts; mix with full forms within the same document.