---
url: /foundations/content-design/style-guide/word-choice.md
description: UI text should be understandable by anyone, anywhere
---

# Style guide

UI text should be understandable by anyone, anywhere

[UX writing best practices](ux-writing-best-practices.md) · **Word choice** · [Grammar and punctuation](grammar-and-punctuation.md)

## Pronouns

### Use second person pronouns ("you")

Use the second-person pronouns “you” and “your” to help the user to feel like the UI is talking to them and referring to their actions

::: tip Do
![Offline error message saying "Your mail isn't available. Try checking your Wi-Fi connection."](/assets/0af59867-lvw0sjq7-2_do.CPwoGDOL.webp)

Write from the user’s point of view to help them take action
:::

::: danger Don't
![Offline error message saying "Mail not available."](/assets/59fec9ed-lvw0syqf-3_don-t.DW_JZfwH.webp)

Avoid writing that sounds impersonal and robotic
:::

### Don’t combine first and second person

Avoid mixing "me" or "my" with "you" or "your.” It can cause confusion to see both forms of address in the same context.

::: tip Do
!["Your photos" is used in the description of a photo wall to emphasize the user's perspective.](/assets/6d437340-lvw0u3xh-4_do.CIYeWthL.webp)

Write from a user’s point of view by emphasizing their perspective with “you” and “your”
:::

::: danger Don't
![My' is used in the title and 'Your' in the description of a photo album.](/assets/3123996c-lvw0ulcc-5_don-t.DKlq3Xk_.webp)

Don’t mix different forms of address in the same screen. Instead, use “you” and “your” or get rid of the pronoun.
:::

### Use caution with “I” and “we”

When written on behalf of a large, global company like Google, “we” or “I” may come across as robotic or disconcerting. 

Focus on the user’s point of view, rather than Google’s, and consider if it’s possible to rewrite a phrase without “we.”

::: danger Don't
!["We're glad you're our customer" is the title of a survey by Google.](/assets/71e9d9a6-lvw0v2kh-6_don-t.Dz3nSaWb.webp)

Don’t use first person pronouns to speak for the voice of Google
:::

::: danger Don't
!["My latest episode" and "My best match" are the titles used in a video app.](/assets/42615b66-lvw0vkq4-7_don-t.C84Yq5H0.webp)

Avoid using first person pronouns. Write from the user’s point of view by using second person pronouns or removing pronouns altogether.
:::

Some legal texts may merit an exception: “I” or “my” (the first person) emphasizes ownership in agreements or acknowledgments. For example, “I agree to the terms of service.”

::: tip Do
!["I agree" is used in the description of an agreement checkbox to emphasize on user's ownership.](/assets/f3cfdc4e-lvw0w6qo-8_do.BiXrKDa_.webp)

First person pronouns can help users understand when they’re making impactful decisions
:::

::: warning Caution
![A part of Google ad message says, "Plus, we can assist with setting up your first campaign at no extra cost."](/assets/9c00d6b5-lvw0wp6c-9.D8HNiQwi.webp)

Use caution with “we” or “our.” Even when these pronouns represent real people employed by Google, seeing first person pronouns in UI text can be confusing or jarring.
:::