Beyond “Including”: Diverse Ways to Express Inclusivity

Mastering the art of expressing inclusivity in English is crucial for clear and effective communication. While phrases like “including but not limited to” are commonly used, they can sometimes sound repetitive or overly formal.
This article explores a variety of alternative expressions that convey the same meaning with greater nuance and style. Understanding these alternatives will enhance your writing and speaking, making your language more precise and engaging.
This guide is designed for English language learners, students, professionals, and anyone looking to refine their communication skills.
By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to express inclusivity in various contexts, allowing you to choose the most appropriate and impactful phrase for each situation. This knowledge will not only improve your grammatical accuracy but also enrich your overall command of the English language.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “Including but not Limited To”
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Alternative Phrases
- Listing Examples
- General Inclusion Examples
- Illustrative Examples
- Emphasis Examples
- Extensive Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- Exercise 2: Sentence Rewriting
- Exercise 3: Error Correction
- Advanced Topics
- Formal vs. Informal Usage
- Legal and Technical Contexts
- FAQ Section
- Conclusion
Definition of “Including but not Limited To”
The phrase “including but not limited to” is a common expression used to indicate that a list of items or examples is not exhaustive. Its purpose is to clarify that the items mentioned are merely a selection from a larger, unspecified group.
Grammatically, it acts as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. This phrase is frequently used in legal documents, contracts, and technical writing to prevent overly restrictive interpretations.
In essence, it signals that the list provided is illustrative rather than definitive. Without this phrase, the list might be interpreted as complete and exclusive, potentially leading to unintended consequences or limitations.
Therefore, it plays a crucial role in ensuring clarity and flexibility in various forms of communication. This phrase ensures that the scope of the statement is broad and adaptable to unforeseen circumstances.
Structural Breakdown
The phrase “including but not limited to” can be broken down into three key components:
- Including: This is a present participle acting as a preposition, introducing the list of examples.
- But not limited to: This phrase clarifies that the preceding list is not exhaustive. “But” acts as a conjunction, “not” as an adverb negating the verb “limited,” and “to” as a preposition.
- The list: This is the series of items or examples that are being included. It can consist of nouns, noun phrases, or clauses.
The entire phrase functions as a modifier, adding information about the noun or noun phrase it follows. It ensures that the list is understood as being representative rather than comprehensive.
The structure is designed to be explicit and unambiguous, particularly in contexts where precision is paramount.
Types and Categories of Alternative Phrases
Several alternatives can be used to express the same idea as “including but not limited to,” each with its own nuances and appropriate contexts. These alternatives can be broadly categorized as follows:
Listing Examples
These alternatives focus on explicitly indicating that the list is a set of examples:
- For example: A simple and direct way to introduce examples.
- For instance: Similar to “for example,” but often used to provide a more specific or illustrative case.
- Such as: Introduces examples that are representative of a larger category.
- Like: An informal alternative to “such as.”
General Inclusion Examples
These alternatives emphasize the idea of inclusion without explicitly focusing on examples:
- Among others: Indicates that there are other items or examples not specifically mentioned.
- As well as: Adds items to a list without implying exclusivity.
- In addition to: Similar to “as well as,” but often used to introduce a more significant addition.
- Plus: An informal way to add items to a list.
Illustrative Examples
These alternatives highlight the illustrative nature of the examples provided:
- To illustrate: Introduces examples that serve to clarify or explain a point.
- As an illustration: Similar to “to illustrate,” but emphasizes the example as a specific instance.
- By way of example: A more formal way to introduce an example.
Emphasis Examples
These alternatives emphasize that the list is not exhaustive:
- Notably: Highlights specific examples as being particularly important or relevant.
- Especially: Similar to “notably,” but can also indicate that the examples are more significant than others.
- Particularly: Emphasizes the specific examples being mentioned.
Extensive Examples
The following tables provide extensive examples of alternative phrases to “including but not limited to” in various contexts. Each table focuses on a specific category of alternatives and includes a wide range of examples to illustrate their usage.
Table 1: Alternatives Using “Such As” and “Like”
This table showcases how to use “such as” and “like” to introduce non-exhaustive lists of examples. These phrases are versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Original Sentence | Alternative Sentence |
---|---|
The software supports various file formats, including but not limited to .doc, .pdf, and .txt. | The software supports various file formats, such as .doc, .pdf, and .txt. |
The store sells a variety of fruits, including but not limited to apples, bananas, and oranges. | The store sells a variety of fruits, like apples, bananas, and oranges. |
The course covers several topics, including but not limited to grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. | The course covers several topics, such as grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. |
The park has many activities, including but not limited to hiking, biking, and picnicking. | The park has many activities, like hiking, biking, and picnicking. |
The company offers various benefits, including but not limited to health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans. | The company offers various benefits, such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans. |
The recipe calls for several ingredients, including but not limited to flour, sugar, and eggs. | The recipe calls for several ingredients, like flour, sugar, and eggs. |
The library has a wide selection of books, including but not limited to novels, biographies, and textbooks. | The library has a wide selection of books, such as novels, biographies, and textbooks. |
The museum features many artifacts, including but not limited to pottery, sculptures, and paintings. | The museum features many artifacts, like pottery, sculptures, and paintings. |
The university offers various degrees, including but not limited to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. | The university offers various degrees, such as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. |
The event included several activities, including but not limited to speeches, performances, and workshops. | The event included several activities, like speeches, performances, and workshops. |
The project requires various skills, including but not limited to coding, writing, and communication. | The project requires various skills, such as coding, writing, and communication. |
The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, including but not limited to pasta, pizza, and salads. | The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, like pasta, pizza, and salads. |
The concert featured several artists, including but not limited to singers, dancers, and musicians. | The concert featured several artists, such as singers, dancers, and musicians. |
The conference covered various topics, including but not limited to technology, marketing, and finance. | The conference covered various topics, like technology, marketing, and finance. |
The training program includes various modules, including but not limited to leadership, teamwork, and communication. | The training program includes various modules, such as leadership, teamwork, and communication. |
The zoo houses various animals, including but not limited to lions, tigers, and bears. | The zoo houses various animals, like lions, tigers, and bears. |
The garden features various flowers, including but not limited to roses, tulips, and daisies. | The garden features various flowers, such as roses, tulips, and daisies. |
The game involves various skills, including but not limited to strategy, coordination, and teamwork. | The game involves various skills, like strategy, coordination, and teamwork. |
The website offers various services, including but not limited to online shopping, customer support, and product reviews. | The website offers various services, such as online shopping, customer support, and product reviews. |
The festival includes various events, including but not limited to concerts, parades, and fireworks. | The festival includes various events, like concerts, parades, and fireworks. |
Table 2: Alternatives Using “Among Others” and “As Well As”
This table demonstrates the use of “among others” and “as well as” to indicate that the list is not exhaustive. “Among others” is often used at the end of a sentence, while “as well as” is used to add items to a list within a sentence.
Original Sentence | Alternative Sentence |
---|---|
The team members included John, Mary, and David, including but not limited to others. | The team members included John, Mary, and David, among others. |
The company provides services such as consulting, training, and support, including but not limited to others. | The company provides services such as consulting, training, and support, among others. |
The project required skills like coding, writing, and communication, including but not limited to others. | The project required skills like coding, writing, and communication, among others. |
The event featured speakers, performers, and artists, including but not limited to others. | The event featured speakers, performers, and artists, among others. |
The curriculum includes math, science, and history, including but not limited to other subjects. | The curriculum includes math, science, and history, among other subjects. |
The software supports various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, including but not limited to others. | The software supports various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, among others. |
The museum displays artifacts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome, including but not limited to other regions. | The museum displays artifacts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome, among other regions. |
The restaurant serves dishes from Italy, France, and Spain, including but not limited to other countries. | The restaurant serves dishes from Italy, France, and Spain, among other countries. |
The university offers courses in literature, philosophy, and psychology, including but not limited to other fields. | The university offers courses in literature, philosophy, and psychology, among other fields. |
The store sells clothing, accessories, and shoes, including but not limited to other items. | The store sells clothing, accessories, and shoes, among other items. |
The report covered topics such as finance as well as marketing and operations. | The report covered topics such as finance, marketing, as well as operations. |
The company offers benefits such as health insurance as well as paid time off and retirement plans. | The company offers benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, as well as retirement plans. |
The project required skills such as coding as well as writing and communication. | The project required skills such as coding, writing, as well as communication. |
The event included activities such as speeches as well as performances and workshops. | The event included activities such as speeches, performances, as well as workshops. |
The curriculum covers subjects such as math as well as science and history. | The curriculum covers subjects such as math, science, as well as history. |
The software supports platforms such as Windows as well as macOS and Linux. | The software supports platforms such as Windows, macOS, as well as Linux. |
The museum displays artifacts from regions such as Egypt as well as Greece and Rome. | The museum displays artifacts from regions such as Egypt, Greece, as well as Rome. |
The restaurant serves dishes from countries such as Italy as well as France and Spain. | The restaurant serves dishes from countries such as Italy, France, as well as Spain. |
The university offers courses in fields such as literature as well as philosophy and psychology. | The university offers courses in fields such as literature, philosophy, as well as psychology. |
The store sells items such as clothing as well as accessories and shoes. | The store sells items such as clothing, accessories, as well as shoes. |
Table 3: Alternatives Using “For Example” and “For Instance”
This table illustrates the use of “for example” and “for instance” to introduce specific examples. These phrases are commonly used to clarify or illustrate a point.
Original Sentence | Alternative Sentence |
---|---|
The company invests in various technologies, including but not limited to AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. | The company invests in various technologies, for example, AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. |
The city has many cultural attractions, including but not limited to museums, theaters, and art galleries. | The city has many cultural attractions, for example, museums, theaters, and art galleries. |
The project requires a variety of skills, including but not limited to technical, analytical, and communication skills. | The project requires a variety of skills, for example, technical, analytical, and communication skills. |
The organization supports various causes, including but not limited to education, healthcare, and environmental protection. | The organization supports various causes, for example, education, healthcare, and environmental protection. |
The website offers a range of services, including but not limited to online courses, webinars, and tutorials. | The website offers a range of services, for example, online courses, webinars, and tutorials. |
The study examined various factors, including but not limited to age, gender, and education level. | The study examined various factors, for example, age, gender, and education level. |
The company uses various marketing strategies, including but not limited to social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization. | The company uses various marketing strategies, for example, social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization. |
The chef uses various spices, including but not limited to cumin, coriander, and turmeric. | The chef uses various spices, for example, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. |
The athlete trains in various disciplines, including but not limited to running, swimming, and cycling. | The athlete trains in various disciplines, for example, running, swimming, and cycling. |
The artist uses various mediums, including but not limited to paint, sculpture, and digital art. | The artist uses various mediums, for example, paint, sculpture, and digital art. |
The company faces various challenges, including but not limited to competition, regulation, and technological change. | The company faces various challenges, for instance, competition, regulation, and technological change. |
The city has various environmental issues, including but not limited to pollution, waste management, and deforestation. | The city has various environmental issues, for instance, pollution, waste management, and deforestation. |
The project requires various resources, including but not limited to funding, personnel, and equipment. | The project requires various resources, for instance, funding, personnel, and equipment. |
The organization addresses various social problems, including but not limited to poverty, inequality, and discrimination. | The organization addresses various social problems, for instance, poverty, inequality, and discrimination. |
The website provides various tools, including but not limited to calculators, converters, and templates. | The website provides various tools, for instance, calculators, converters, and templates. |
The study analyzed various variables, including but not limited to income, education, and occupation. | The study analyzed various variables, for instance, income, education, and occupation. |
The company implements various security measures, including but not limited to firewalls, encryption, and access controls. | The company implements various security measures, for instance, firewalls, encryption, and access controls. |
The chef uses various techniques, including but not limited to grilling, baking, and frying. | The chef uses various techniques, for instance, grilling, baking, and frying. |
The athlete practices various exercises, including but not limited to stretching, weightlifting, and cardio. | The athlete practices various exercises, for instance, stretching, weightlifting, and cardio. |
The artist experiments with various styles, including but not limited to realism, impressionism, and abstract art. | The artist experiments with various styles, for instance, realism, impressionism, and abstract art. |
Table 4: Alternatives Using “Notably” and “Especially”
This table showcases the use of “notably” and “especially” to highlight specific examples as being particularly important or relevant. These phrases are often used to draw attention to key items in a list.
Original Sentence | Alternative Sentence |
---|---|
The conference featured several prominent speakers, including but not limited to Dr. Smith, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Brown. | The conference featured several prominent speakers, notably Dr. Smith, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Brown. |
The project required several key skills, including but not limited to leadership, communication, and problem-solving. | The project required several key skills, notably leadership, communication, and problem-solving. |
The company achieved several significant milestones, including but not limited to increased revenue, market share, and customer satisfaction. | The company achieved several significant milestones, notably increased revenue, market share, and customer satisfaction. |
The study identified several important factors, including but not limited to education, income, and access to healthcare. | The study identified several important factors, notably education, income, and access to healthcare. |
The website offers several valuable resources, including but not limited to tutorials, templates, and case studies. | The website offers several valuable resources, notably tutorials, templates, and case studies. |
The museum displays several rare artifacts, including but not limited to ancient pottery, sculptures, and jewelry. | The museum displays several rare artifacts, notably ancient pottery, sculptures, and jewelry. |
The company focuses on several key areas, including but not limited to innovation, sustainability, and customer service. | The company focuses on several key areas, notably innovation, sustainability, and customer service. |
The team faced several major challenges, including but not limited to budget constraints, time limitations, and resource scarcity. | The team faced several major challenges, notably budget constraints, time limitations, and resource scarcity. |
The program provides several essential services, including but not limited to counseling, job training, and housing assistance. | The program provides several essential services, notably counseling, job training, and housing assistance. |
The university offers several prestigious scholarships, including but not limited to merit-based, need-based, and athletic scholarships. | The university offers several prestigious scholarships, notably merit-based, need-based, and athletic scholarships. |
The company invests in several promising technologies, especially AI, blockchain, and renewable energy. | The company invests in several promising technologies, especially AI, blockchain, and renewable energy. |
The city promotes several cultural events, especially music festivals, art exhibitions, and theater productions. | The city promotes several cultural events, especially music festivals, art exhibitions, and theater productions. |
The project requires several critical skills, especially leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities. | The project requires several critical skills, especially leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities. |
The organization supports several vulnerable populations, especially children, refugees, and the elderly. | The organization supports several vulnerable populations, especially children, refugees, and the elderly. |
The website provides several helpful tools, especially calculators, converters, and language translation services. | The website provides several helpful tools, especially calculators, converters, and language translation services. |
The study examines several key factors, especially income, education, and access to healthcare services. | The study examines several key factors, especially income, education, and access to healthcare services. |
The company implements several security measures, especially firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. | The company implements several security measures, especially firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. |
The program offers several training modules, especially leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills. | The program offers several training modules, especially leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills. |
The university provides several academic resources, especially libraries, research centers, and tutoring services. | The university provides several academic resources, especially libraries, research centers, and tutoring services. |
The museum features several historical exhibits, especially ancient civilizations, world wars, and cultural heritage. | The museum features several historical exhibits, especially ancient civilizations, world wars, and cultural heritage. |
Usage Rules
When using alternatives to “including but not limited to,” it’s important to consider the context and the desired tone. Here are some general usage rules:
- Formality: “Such as,” “for example,” and “as well as” are generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. “Among others” is slightly more formal. “Like” is more informal.
- Placement: “Among others” typically comes at the end of the sentence. “Such as,” “for example,” and “as well as” are used within the sentence to introduce examples or additional items.
- Clarity: Ensure that the alternative phrase clearly indicates that the list is not exhaustive. If there is any ambiguity, it may be best to stick with the more explicit “including but not limited to.”
- Punctuation: Use commas to separate items in the list, and consider using a colon before the list if it is introduced by “such as” or “for example.”
Adhering to these guidelines will ensure that you use these alternative phrases correctly and effectively, enhancing the clarity and impact of your communication. Choosing the right phrase can also add nuance and sophistication to your writing.
Common Mistakes
Several common mistakes can occur when using alternatives to “including but not limited to.”
Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
---|---|---|
The team included John, Mary, among other. | The team included John, Mary, among others. | “Among others” is the correct plural form. |
The store sells fruits, like apple, banana, and orange. | The store sells fruits, like apples, bananas, and oranges. | The list items should be plural to match “fruits.” |
The course covers topics, for example, grammar, vocabulary. | The course covers topics, for example, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. | The list should be complete and punctuated correctly. |
The company offers benefits, as well, health insurance. | The company offers benefits, as well as health insurance. | “As well as” is the correct phrase. |
The project requires skills, notably coding, writing. | The project requires skills, notably coding, writing, and communication. | The list should be complete and punctuated correctly. |
Avoiding these common mistakes will help you use these phrases correctly and effectively, ensuring that your writing is clear and accurate. Paying attention to detail and understanding the nuances of each phrase is crucial.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of alternative phrases to “including but not limited to” with the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate alternative phrase from the list: such as, among others, for example, as well as, notably.
Question | Answer |
---|---|
The curriculum includes math, science, and history, __________. | The curriculum includes math, science, and history, among others. |
The store sells a variety of fruits, __________ apples, bananas, and oranges. | The store sells a variety of fruits, such as apples, bananas, and oranges. |
The company invests in various technologies, __________ AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. | The company invests in various technologies, for example, AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. |
The report covered finance __________ marketing and operations. | The report covered finance as well as marketing and operations. |
The conference featured several prominent speakers, __________ Dr. Smith, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Brown. | The conference featured several prominent speakers, notably Dr. Smith, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Brown. |
The project required skills, __________ coding, writing, and communication | The project required skills, such as coding, writing, and communication. |
The website offers range of services, __________ online courses, webinars, and tutorials. | The website offers range of services, for example, online courses, webinars, and tutorials. |
The program includes math, science, and history, __________. | The program includes math, science, and history, among others. |
The event featured speakers, performers, __________ artists. | The event featured speakers, performers, as well as artists. |
The company achieved several significant milestones, __________ increased revenue, market share, and customer satisfaction. | The company achieved several significant milestones, notably increased revenue, market share, and customer satisfaction. |
Exercise 2: Sentence Rewriting
Rewrite the following sentences using an alternative phrase to “including but not limited to.”
Original Sentence | Rewritten Sentence |
---|---|
The team members included John, Mary, and David, including but not limited to others. | The team members included John, Mary, and David, among others. |
The store sells a variety of fruits, including but not limited to apples, bananas, and oranges. | The store sells a variety of fruits, such as apples, bananas, and oranges. |
The company invests in various technologies, including but not limited to AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. | The company invests in various technologies, for example, AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. |
The report covered finance, including but not limited to marketing and operations. | The report covered finance as well as marketing and operations. |
The project requires skills, including but not limited to coding, writing, and communication. | The project requires skills, such as coding, writing, and communication. |
The course offers a variety of topics, including but not limited to grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. | The course offers a variety of topics, such as grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. |
The company offers various benefits, including but not limited to health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans. | The company offers various benefits, for example health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans. |
The event included several activities, including but not limited to speeches, performances, and workshops. | The event included several activities, such as speeches, performances, and workshops. |
The curriculum includes subjects, including but not limited to math, science, and history. | The curriculum includes subjects, for example, math, science, and history. |
The website offers many services, including but not limited to online courses, webinars, and tutorials. | The website offers many services, among others. |
Exercise 3: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
---|---|
The team included John, Mary, among other. | The team included John, Mary, among others. |
The store sells fruits, like apple, banana, and orange. | The store sells fruits, like apples, bananas, and oranges. |
The course covers topics, for example, grammar, vocabulary. | The course covers topics, for example, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. |
The company offers benefits, as well, health insurance. | The company offers benefits, as well as health insurance. |
The project requires skills, notably coding, writing. | The project requires skills, notably coding, writing, and communication. |
The curriculum includes math, science, and history, as well. | The curriculum includes math, science, as well as history. |
The website offers various tools, such calculator, converter, and templates. | The website offers various tools, such as calculators, converters, and templates. |
The program includes math, science, and history, notably. | The program includes math, science, and history, among others. |
The event featured speakers, performers, also artists. | The event featured speakers, performers, as well as artists. |
The company achieved several significant milestones, among other, increased revenue, market share, and customer satisfaction. | The company achieved several significant milestones, notably increased revenue, market share, and customer satisfaction. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, it’s important to understand the nuances of using these alternative phrases in different contexts.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
The choice of phrase can significantly impact the tone of your writing. In formal contexts, such as legal documents or academic papers, it’s generally best to use more precise and less ambiguous phrases like “including but not limited to” or “among others.” In informal contexts, such as casual conversations or blog posts, you can use more relaxed phrases like “such as” or “like.”
Understanding the audience and the purpose
of your communication is crucial when selecting the most appropriate phrase. Consider how the phrase will be perceived and whether it aligns with the overall tone and style of your writing or speech.
Legal and Technical Contexts
In legal and technical contexts, precision is paramount. While alternatives to “including but not limited to” can be used, it is essential to ensure that the alternative phrase clearly conveys the intended meaning and does not introduce any ambiguity.
In many cases, sticking with the original phrase is the safest option, as it is well-understood and legally defensible.
For example, in a contract, using “such as” instead of “including but not limited to” might lead to a dispute over whether the list of items is exhaustive or merely illustrative. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully consider the potential implications of using an alternative phrase in these contexts.
FAQ Section
Here are some frequently asked questions about using alternatives to “including but not limited to.”
When is it best to use “including but not limited to”?
It is best to use “including but not limited to” in formal contexts, such as legal documents, contracts, and technical writing, where precision and clarity are essential. It is also useful when you want to explicitly indicate that the list is not exhaustive and to avoid any ambiguity.
Can I use “like” instead of “such as” in formal writing?
While “like” can be used to introduce examples, it is generally considered more informal than “such as.” In formal writing, it is best to use “such as” to maintain a professional tone.
Is “among others” always placed at the end of the sentence?
Yes, “among others” is typically placed at the end of the sentence to indicate that there are other items or examples not specifically mentioned.
How can I ensure that my alternative phrase is clear and unambiguous?
To ensure clarity, consider the context and the audience. Choose a phrase that accurately conveys your intended meaning and avoids any potential misinterpretations.
If there is any doubt, it is best to stick with the more explicit “including but not limited to.”
Are there any situations where I should avoid using alternatives to “including but not limited to”?
Yes, in situations where precision is critical, such as legal documents or contracts, it is best to avoid using alternatives unless you are certain that they accurately convey the intended meaning. In these contexts, the potential for misinterpretation outweighs the benefits of using a more concise or stylish phrase.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of alternative phrases to “including but not limited to” can significantly enhance your communication skills. By understanding the nuances of each phrase and considering the context in which it is used, you can express inclusivity with greater precision and style.
While “including but not limited to” remains a valuable tool in formal and technical contexts, the alternatives discussed in this article offer a range of options for more informal and conversational settings. By practicing these alternatives and avoiding common mistakes, you can refine your writing and speaking, making your language more engaging and effective.