--- title: The Longest Word You Need to Know description: Originally the word meant to give human form & character to God.More commonly, it means to ascribe humanlike qualities to inanimate objects. image: https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/Slide102.png --- #### WordRake is joining BriefCatch. Discover how BriefCatch Next builds on WordRake’s trusted editing technology — and what this means for WordRake customers. [Learn about the transition →](https://www.briefcatch.com/wordrake) [![logo](https://www.wordrake.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/logo.png?width=285&height=18&name=logo.png)](https://www.wordrake.com/) Edit for brevity & simplicity in Microsoft Word & Outlook - [Buy](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-improvement-software-buy) - [Software](https://www.wordrake.com/software) - [About](https://www.wordrake.com/editing-software-for-writing-professionals) - [Reviews](https://www.wordrake.com/reviews) - [Writing Tips](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/writing-tips-listing-page) - [Resources](https://www.wordrake.com/resources) - [Support](https://www.wordrake.com/editing-software-help) # Writing Tips Legal Writing Our best writing tip? Edit for clarity and brevity with WordRake. It’s an automated in-line editor that checks for needless words, cumbersome phrases, clichés, and more. [![Download a 7-Day Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3365575/03068b7d-1c87-45f8-9e1a-71ce6c0ece3c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3365575/03068b7d-1c87-45f8-9e1a-71ce6c0ece3c) ## The Longest Word You Need to Know # Why Anthropomorphism Can Hurt Your Writing ### anthropomorphism   Originally the word meant to give human form and character to God. More commonly, it means to ascribe human-like qualities to inanimate objects.   When lawyers anthropomorphize, they invite trouble with logic:   Plaintiff’s proposal attempts to shift the burden.   The proposal is a piece of paper; it can’t do anything. Instead of having the proposal act like a human, make the human act:   In its proposal Plaintiff attempts to shift the burden.   Examples in a law practice abound:   | The brief argues | Defense counsel argues | | --- | --- | | The resignation explained | The councilman explained | | The decision ordered | The judge ordered |   But use common sense:   The statute requires an applicant . . . .   True, the statute doesn’t care what the applicant does, but to get humans in here to avoid anthropomorphism, we have to write something like:   The women and men of the 1983 Illinois legislature, who enacted the statute, require an applicant . . . .   I would leave it alone:   The statute requires . . . .    Or write:   Under the statute, an applicant must . . . .   But below you can easily put in humans (although some of the laity might argue we lawyers do not qualify):   Clooney Pitt provided the permitting team with a memorandum addressing federal regulations. That memorandum determined that . . . .   Clooney Pitt provided the permitting team with a memorandum addressing federal regulations. The Clooney lawyers determined that . . . .   Careful judges and lawyers avoid anthropomorphism. Be alert for the problem, and you will easily find a solution. [One Simple Way to Enliven Your Writing](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/one-simple-way-to-enliven-your-writing) [The Best Way to Open a Client Letter (Part 1 of 3)](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/the-best-way-to-open-a-client-letter-part-1-of-3) - - - ### [Improve Your Writing with WordRake Try this revolutionary editing software free for 7 days. Now available for Mac or Windows.](https://www.wordrake.com/) [Try Free for 7 Days](https://www.wordrake.com/trial/) ### Writing Tips in Your Inbox ### Related Writing Tips [Your Honor, You Are Stupid, You Suck, and Please Decide for Me](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/your-honor-you-are-stupid-you-suck-and-please-decide-for-me) [Alice in Law-Law-Land](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/alice-in-law-law-land) [The Most Important Thing—in Our Professional Lives—We Do Every Day](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/on-the-high-wire-without-a-net) [Face Plants](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/face-plants) [Draft II – Return of the Curse](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/draft-ii-return-of-the-curse) [Curse of the Blinking Cursor](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/curse-of-the-blinking-cursor) **[See All Tips](https://www.wordrake.com/writing-tips/writing-tips-listing-page)** Search this site on Google Search Google ### About Gary Kinder ![Gary Kinder](https://www.wordrake.com/hubfs/Wordrake%20December2017%20/Images/garykinder.jpg) WordRake founder Gary Kinder has taught over 1,000 writing programs for AMLAW 100 firms, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies. He’s also a *New York Times* bestselling author. As a writing expert and coach, Gary was inspired to create WordRake when he noticed a pattern in writing errors that he thought he could address with technology. In 2012, Gary and his team of engineers created WordRake editing software to help writers produce clear, concise, and effective prose. It saves time and gives confidence. Writing and editing has never been easier. WordRake takes you beyond the merely grammatical to the truly great—the quality editor you’ve always wanted. See for yourself. [![Download a 7-Day Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3365575/03068b7d-1c87-45f8-9e1a-71ce6c0ece3c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3365575/03068b7d-1c87-45f8-9e1a-71ce6c0ece3c) ### How Does it Work? WordRake is editing software designed by writing expert and *New York Times* bestselling author Gary Kinder. Like an editor or helpful colleague, WordRake ripples through your document checking for needless words and cumbersome phrases. Its complex algorithms find and improve weak lead-ins, confusing language, and high-level grammar and usage slips. WordRake runs in Microsoft Word and Outlook, and its suggestions appear in the familiar track-changes style. If you’ve used track changes, you already know how to use WordRake. There’s nothing to learn and nothing to interpret. Editing for clarity and brevity has never been easier.   ![demo_poster_play](https://www.wordrake.com/hs-fs/hubfs/demo_poster_play.png?width=286&height=133&name=demo_poster_play.png) × © 2026 WordRake, LLC. 8415 154th Avenue NE,  Suite 200, Redmond, WA 98052. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.wordrake.com/privacy) *|* [Technology](https://www.wordrake.com/patents) *|* [Contact](https://www.wordrake.com/contact)