What Is Biased Language and How Can You Avoid It?

It’s typically the result of outdated social norms and historical oppression. It carries hidden messages that we might not ever outright say, but are unintentionally carried forward in habitual words and phrases.

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Biased language can isolate, or demean people—sometimes on purpose, but often by accident or out of ignorance. It contains an undercurrent of superiority or misunderstanding about people because of traits like their age, gender, race, sex, ethnicity, physical or mental differences, religion, or economic status.

Avoiding biased language is not just something to learn in order to be politically correct. Unbiased language sends the message that you’re invested in inclusivity . It demonstrates that you genuinely care and have taken the time to learn how to express yourself in a way that reflects your values, creating a sense of belonging for all.

Here are a few common examples of biased language, and ideas of what you could say instead:

Age. Avoid condescending descriptions associated with age. Name the age or age range instead of assigning a term that carries bias. A “class for the elderly” could be “a class for people who are 80 and older.” An “old man” could instead be described as “a man in his 90s.”

Religion. Certain religious groups have often been called “fanatics” while different, equally-invested groups are described as “devout” (a much less derogatory term). Use the term “devout” regardless of religion to eliminate that bias.

Health and abilities. Use people-first language to center the person, not the disability. Instead of saying “confined to a wheelchair” or “a cripple,” say “someone who uses a wheelchair.” Instead of talking about “a special ed student,” say “a student in a special education class.” Rather than saying that someone is “a victim of heart disease,” describe them as “a person with heart disease.”

Race. Avoid using words that could associate race with negative or positive terminology. For example, instead of “blacklisted” (traditionally negative) or “whitelisted” (traditionally positive), use terms like “blocked list” and “approved list.”

Gender. Don’t let gender assumptions creep in, especially when describing roles traditionally held by people of a certain gender. For example, don’t say “A lawyer must always prepare for his case months before the court date.” Instead, remove the bias by saying “A lawyer must always prepare a case months before the court date.”

As a rule of thumb, whenever you’re not sure what language to use when speaking about a person or community, ask them directly about their preferred terminology. You might feel embarrassed, but it’s better to ask and learn than to say something well-intentioned but hurtful.

When you check written documents for grammar and spelling, be sure to also scan for any biased language. You may also want to use a built-in editor to help. For example, if you use Microsoft Word and have an M365 subscription, click Review, then click Editor. Scroll down and you’ll see an Inclusiveness section where you should check the box.

Language can be slow to change (as can the thinking and beliefs behind it). However, the more we all use inclusive, unbiased language, the more natural it will feel and the more common it will become. With consistent use over time, unbiased language will become the new norm.