Plain Language Analysis — Drupal Core UI Strings

Readability and plain-language diagnostics for collected Drupal admin UI strings.

Source markdown: plain-language-report.md

Plain Language Analysis — Drupal Core UI Strings

Generated: 2026-05-06

Corpus summary#

MetricValue
Total text samples analyzed330
Total words5447
Flesch Reading Ease (corpus)48 — Difficult (college level)
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (corpus)9.3
Avg words per sentence10.9

Target: FRE ≥ 60 (standard/plain English), FKGL ≤ 8 (grade 8).
Readability scores are a diagnostic tool, not a pass/fail gate.
Canada.ca (2024) and ISO plain language standard (2023) both caution
against relying on formulas alone — use them to find candidates for review.

Grade level distribution#

GradeCount
6 ✅34
7 ✅37
8 ✅37
922
1043
1121
1227
≤5 ✅48
13+61

Issue summary#

Issue typeOccurrences
passive voice69
nominalisation33
jargon14
long sentence (N words)1

Top 20 hardest strings (by grade level)#

Grade 24.9 — [Modules] module description#

New administration navigation

FRE: -78.2 | Words: 3 | Avg words/sentence: 3

Flags:

Grade 22.8 — [Modules] help text#

New administration navigation Machine name: navigation Version: 12.0-dev Requires: BlockFileFieldLayout BuilderLayout DiscoveryContextual Links Help for Navigation Permissions for Navigation Configure Navigation

FRE: -49.6 | Words: 21 | Avg words/sentence: 10.5

Flags:

Grade 20.2 — [Modules] help text#

Description

FRE: -48 | Words: 1 | Avg words/sentence: 1

Grade 20.2 — [Modules] description#

Description

FRE: -48 | Words: 1 | Avg words/sentence: 1

Grade 20.1 — [Modules] help text#

Enables the categorization of content. Machine name: taxonomy Version: 12.0-dev Requires: NodeTextFieldFilterUserSystem Help for Taxonomy Permissions for Taxonomy Configure Taxonomy

FRE: -36.8 | Words: 20 | Avg words/sentence: 6.7

Grade 19.2 — [Modules] module description#

Exposes entities as a JSON:API-specification-compliant web API.

FRE: -29.9 | Words: 7 | Avg words/sentence: 7

Flags:

Grade 18.6 — [Modules] help text#

Exposes entities as a JSON:API-specification-compliant web API. Machine name: jsonapi Version: 12.0-dev Requires: Serialization (disabled)FileField

FRE: -29.5 | Words: 15 | Avg words/sentence: 5

Flags:

Grade 18.2 — [Modules] help text#

Allows users to translate configuration text. Machine name: config_translation Version: 12.0-dev Requires: Interface Translation (disabled)Language (disabled)FileField

FRE: -25.9 | Words: 16 | Avg words/sentence: 5.3

Flags:

Grade 18.1 — [Add content type] help text#

Unique machine-readable name: lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only.

FRE: -18.5 | Words: 9 | Avg words/sentence: 9

Grade 18.1 — [Add content type] description#

Unique machine-readable name: lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only.

FRE: -18.5 | Words: 9 | Avg words/sentence: 9

Grade 17.7 — [Modules] help text#

Allows users to configure available languages. Machine name: language Version: 12.0-dev Required by: Interface Translation (disabled)Configuration Translation (disabled)Content Translation (disabled)

FRE: -19.9 | Words: 20 | Avg words/sentence: 6.7

Flags:

Grade 17.4 — [Modules] help text#

Filters text content in preparation for display. Machine name: filter Version: 12.0-dev Requires: UserSystem Required by: TextBlock ContentText EditorCKEditor 5CommentViewsMedia Library (disabled)NodeOptionsTaxonomyViews UI Help for Filter Permissions for Filter Configure Filter

FRE: -11.1 | Words: 31 | Avg words/sentence: 10.3

Grade 17.4 — [Modules] description#

Filters text content in preparation for display. Machine name: filter Version: 12.0-dev Requires: UserSystem Required by: TextBlock ContentText EditorCKEditor 5CommentViewsMedia Library (disabled)NodeOptionsTaxonomyViews UI Help for Filter Permissions for Filter Configure Filter

FRE: -11.1 | Words: 31 | Avg words/sentence: 10.3

Grade 17.3 — [Modules] help text#

Allows importing and exporting configuration changes. Machine name: config Version: 12.0-dev Help for Configuration Manager Permissions for Configuration Manager Configure Configuration Manager

FRE: -16 | Words: 22 | Avg words/sentence: 7.3

Flags:

Grade 17.3 — [Modules] description#

Allows importing and exporting configuration changes. Machine name: config Version: 12.0-dev Help for Configuration Manager Permissions for Configuration Manager Configure Configuration Manager

FRE: -16 | Words: 22 | Avg words/sentence: 7.3

Flags:

Grade 17 — [Modules] module description#

Enables the categorization of content.

FRE: -18.2 | Words: 5 | Avg words/sentence: 5

Grade 16.3 — [Modules] module description#

Allows importing and exporting configuration changes.

FRE: -10.8 | Words: 6 | Avg words/sentence: 6

Flags:

Grade 16 — [Modules] help text#

Enhances the media list with additional features to more easily find and use existing media items. Machine name: media_library Version: 12.0-dev Requires: Media (disabled)FileFieldImageUserSystemViewsFilter

FRE: -5.7 | Words: 24 | Avg words/sentence: 8

Grade 15.6 — [Modules] module description#

Places error messages adjacent to form inputs, for improved usability and accessibility.

FRE: 4.3 | Words: 12 | Avg words/sentence: 12

Grade 15.6 — [Modules] module description#

Provides an interface to create workflows with transitions between different states (for example publication or user status) provided by other modules.

FRE: 20.3 | Words: 21 | Avg words/sentence: 21

All flagged strings#

Grade 24.9 — [Modules] module description#

New administration navigation

Grade 22.8 — [Modules] help text#

New administration navigation Machine name: navigation Version: 12.0-dev Requires: BlockFileFieldLayout BuilderLayout DiscoveryContextual Links Help for Navigation Permissions for Navigation Configure

Grade 19.2 — [Modules] module description#

Exposes entities as a JSON:API-specification-compliant web API.

Grade 18.6 — [Modules] help text#

Exposes entities as a JSON:API-specification-compliant web API. Machine name: jsonapi Version: 12.0-dev Requires: Serialization (disabled)FileField

Grade 18.2 — [Modules] help text#

Allows users to translate configuration text. Machine name: config_translation Version: 12.0-dev Requires: Interface Translation (disabled)Language (disabled)FileField

Grade 17.7 — [Modules] help text#

Allows users to configure available languages. Machine name: language Version: 12.0-dev Required by: Interface Translation (disabled)Configuration Translation (disabled)Content Translation (disabled)

Grade 17.3 — [Modules] description#

Allows importing and exporting configuration changes. Machine name: config Version: 12.0-dev Help for Configuration Manager Permissions for Configuration Manager Configure Configuration Manager

Grade 17.3 — [Modules] help text#

Allows importing and exporting configuration changes. Machine name: config Version: 12.0-dev Help for Configuration Manager Permissions for Configuration Manager Configure Configuration Manager

Grade 16.3 — [Modules] module description#

Allows importing and exporting configuration changes.

Grade 14.3 — [Modules] module description#

Provides an HTTP Basic authentication provider.

Grade 13.5 — [Modules] help text#

Manages the creation, configuration, and display of media items. Machine name: media Version: 12.0-dev Requires: FileFieldImageUserSystem Required by: Media Library (disabled)

Grade 13.2 — [Modules] help text#

Defines a field type for image media and provides display configuration tools. Machine name: image Version: 12.0-dev Requires: FileField Required by: Media (disabled)Media Library (disabled)Responsive

Grade 13.1 — [Account settings] description#

New users will be required to validate their email address prior to logging into the site, and will be assigned a system-generated password. With this setting disabled, users will be logged in immedia

Grade 13.1 — [Permissions] description#

Warning: This permission may have security implications depending on how the text format is configured.

Grade 13.1 — [Account settings] help text#

New users will be required to validate their email address prior to logging into the site, and will be assigned a system-generated password. With this setting disabled, users will be logged in immedia

Grade 13.1 — [Permissions] help text#

Warning: This permission may have security implications depending on how the text format is configured.

Grade 12.7 — [Modules] help text#

Allows users to translate interface text and to switch between interface languages. Machine name: locale Version: 12.0-dev Requires: Language (disabled)FileField Required by: Configuration Translation

Grade 12.6 — [Modules] module description#

Provides additional publication states that can be used by other modules to moderate content.

Grade 12.6 — [Permissions] help text#

Ensure that site administrators have this permission so that security updates are applied promptly.

Grade 12.4 — [Modules] help text#

Provides an HTTP Basic authentication provider. Machine name: basic_auth Version: 12.0-dev Requires: UserSystem

Grade 12.3 — [Modules] module description#

Allows users to translate configuration text.

Grade 12.2 — [Permissions] help text#

Users without this permission will not have access to email addresses on user pages or other places where they might be shown, such as Views and JSON:API responses.

Grade 11.9 — [Modules] module description#

Provides an administration toolbar to display links provided by modules.

Grade 11.9 — [Modules] help text#

Allows users to directly edit the configuration of blocks on the current page. Machine name: settings_tray Version: 12.0-dev Requires: BlockToolbar (disabled)BreakpointContextual Links

Grade 11.5 — [Modules] module description#

Manages the creation, configuration, and display of media items.

Grade 11.4 — [Modules] description#

Provides additional publication states that can be used by other modules to moderate content. Machine name: content_moderation Version: 12.0-dev Requires: Workflows (disabled)

Grade 11.4 — [Modules] help text#

Provides additional publication states that can be used by other modules to moderate content. Machine name: content_moderation Version: 12.0-dev Requires: Workflows (disabled)

Grade 10.6 — [Modules] help text#

Manages the creation, configuration, and display of the main site content. Machine name: node Version: 12.0-dev Requires: TextFieldFilterUserSystem Required by: Taxonomy Help for Node Permissions for

Grade 10.5 — [Permissions] description#

This is only used when the site is configured to use a separate administration theme on the Appearance page.

Grade 10.5 — [Permissions] help text#

This is only used when the site is configured to use a separate administration theme on the Appearance page.

Grade 10.4 — [Text format (restricted)] description#

Ensures that the latest versions of images uploaded via a Text Editor are displayed, along with their dimensions.

Grade 10.4 — [Modules] module description#

Allows users to directly edit the configuration of blocks on the current page.

Grade 10.4 — [Text format (restricted)] help text#

Ensures that the latest versions of images uploaded via a Text Editor are displayed, along with their dimensions.

Grade 9.9 — [Text format (restricted)] description#

Instruct browsers to lazy load images if dimensions are specified. Use in conjunction with and place after the 'Track images uploaded via a Text Editor' filter that adds image dimensions required for

Grade 9.9 — [Text format (restricted)] help text#

Instruct browsers to lazy load images if dimensions are specified. Use in conjunction with and place after the 'Track images uploaded via a Text Editor' filter that adds image dimensions required for

Grade 9.8 — [Site information] description#

The From address in automated emails sent during registration and new password requests, and other notifications. (Use an address ending in your site's domain to help prevent this email being flagged

Grade 9.8 — [Site information] help text#

The From address in automated emails sent during registration and new password requests, and other notifications. (Use an address ending in your site's domain to help prevent this email being flagged

Grade 9.7 — [Modules] module description#

Defines a field type for image media and provides display configuration tools.

Grade 9.6 — [Permissions] description#

Warning: Give to trusted roles only; this permission has security implications. Define how text is handled by combining filters into text formats.

Grade 9.6 — [Permissions] help text#

Warning: Give to trusted roles only; this permission has security implications. Define how text is handled by combining filters into text formats.

Grade 9.5 — [Logging settings] status message#

Status message These values are overridden. Changes on this form will be saved, but overrides will take precedence. See configuration overrides documentation for more information. Error messages to di

Grade 9.5 — [Logging settings] status message#

Status message These values are overridden. Changes on this form will be saved, but overrides will take precedence. See configuration overrides documentation for more information. Error messages to di

Grade 9.4 — [Permissions] description#

Warning: Give to trusted roles only; this permission has security implications. Maintain the types of content available and the fields that are associated with those types.

Grade 9.4 — [Permissions] description#

To revert a revision, you also need permission to edit the content item.

Grade 9.4 — [Permissions] description#

To delete a revision, you also need permission to delete the content item.

Grade 9.4 — [Permissions] help text#

Warning: Give to trusted roles only; this permission has security implications. Maintain the types of content available and the fields that are associated with those types.

Grade 9.4 — [Permissions] help text#

To revert a revision, you also need permission to edit the content item.

Grade 9.4 — [Permissions] help text#

To delete a revision, you also need permission to delete the content item.

Grade 9.3 — [Permissions] description#

Warning: Give to trusted roles only; this permission has security implications. Maintain the block types of block content available and the fields that are associated with those types.

Grade 9.3 — [Permissions] help text#

Warning: Give to trusted roles only; this permission has security implications. Maintain the block types of block content available and the fields that are associated with those types.

Grade 9.1 — [Modules] module description#

Manages the creation, configuration, and display of the main site content.

Grade 9.1 — [Modules] module description#

Caches pages for anonymous users and can be used when external page cache is not available.

Grade 8.8 — [Appearance] description#

Control which roles can "View the administration theme" on the Permissions page.

Grade 8.8 — [Appearance] help text#

Control which roles can "View the administration theme" on the Permissions page.

Grade 8.7 — [Modules] help text#

Provides an administration toolbar to display links provided by modules. Machine name: toolbar Version: 12.0-dev Requires: Breakpoint Required by: Settings Tray (disabled)

Grade 7.7 — [Maintenance mode] description#

Visitors will only see the maintenance mode message. Only users with the "Use the site in maintenance mode" permission will be able to access the site. Authorized users can log in directly via the use

Grade 7.7 — [Maintenance mode] help text#

Visitors will only see the maintenance mode message. Only users with the "Use the site in maintenance mode" permission will be able to access the site. Authorized users can log in directly via the use

Grade 7.6 — [Permissions] description#

To view a revision, you also need permission to view the content item.

Grade 7.6 — [Permissions] help text#

To view a revision, you also need permission to view the content item.

Grade 7.2 — [Add user] description#

The email address is not made public. It will only be used if you need to be contacted about your account or for opted-in notifications.

Grade 7.2 — [User edit (uid 1)] description#

The email address is not made public. It will only be used if you need to be contacted about your account or for opted-in notifications.

Grade 7.2 — [Create basic page] description#

Specify an alternative path by which this data can be accessed. For example, type "/about" when writing an about page.

Grade 7.2 — [Create article] description#

Specify an alternative path by which this data can be accessed. For example, type "/about" when writing an about page.

Grade 7.2 — [Add user] help text#

The email address is not made public. It will only be used if you need to be contacted about your account or for opted-in notifications.

Grade 7.2 — [User edit (uid 1)] help text#

The email address is not made public. It will only be used if you need to be contacted about your account or for opted-in notifications.

Grade 7.2 — [Create basic page] help text#

Specify an alternative path by which this data can be accessed. For example, type "/about" when writing an about page.

Grade 7.2 — [Create article] help text#

Specify an alternative path by which this data can be accessed. For example, type "/about" when writing an about page.

Grade 6.9 — [Performance settings] description#

This is used as the value for max-age in Cache-Control headers.

Grade 6.9 — [Site information] description#

This page is displayed when the requested document is denied to the current user. Leave blank to display a generic "access denied" page.

Grade 6.9 — [Text format (restricted)] description#

URLs longer than this number of characters will be truncated to prevent long strings that break formatting. The link itself will be retained; just the text portion of the link will be truncated.

Grade 6.9 — [Performance settings] help text#

This is used as the value for max-age in Cache-Control headers.

Grade 6.9 — [Site information] help text#

This page is displayed when the requested document is denied to the current user. Leave blank to display a generic "access denied" page.

Grade 6.9 — [Text format (restricted)] help text#

URLs longer than this number of characters will be truncated to prevent long strings that break formatting. The link itself will be retained; just the text portion of the link will be truncated.

Grade 6.8 — [Configuration] status message#

Error message One or more problems were detected with your Drupal installation. Check the status report for more information. Close message

Grade 6.8 — [Configuration] status message#

Error message One or more problems were detected with your Drupal installation. Check the status report for more information. Close message

Grade 6.7 — [Add content type] description#

Author username and publish date will be displayed.

Grade 6.7 — [Add content type] description#

This text will be displayed at the top of the page when creating or editing content of this type.

Grade 6.7 — [Add content type] help text#

Author username and publish date will be displayed.

Grade 6.7 — [Add content type] help text#

This text will be displayed at the top of the page when creating or editing content of this type.

Grade 6.4 — [Modules] description#

Caches pages for anonymous users and can be used when external page cache is not available. Machine name: page_cache Version: 12.0-dev Help for Internal Page Cache

Grade 6.4 — [Modules] help text#

Caches pages for anonymous users and can be used when external page cache is not available. Machine name: page_cache Version: 12.0-dev Help for Internal Page Cache

Grade 5.8 — [Create basic page] description#

Menu links with lower weights are displayed before links with higher weights.

Grade 5.8 — [Create article] description#

Menu links with lower weights are displayed before links with higher weights.

Grade 5.8 — [Create basic page] help text#

Menu links with lower weights are displayed before links with higher weights.

Grade 5.8 — [Create article] help text#

Menu links with lower weights are displayed before links with higher weights.

Grade 5.5 — [Add user] description#

Several special characters are allowed, including space, period (.), hyphen (-), apostrophe ('), underscore (_), and the @ sign.

Grade 5.5 — [User edit (uid 1)] description#

Several special characters are allowed, including space, period (.), hyphen (-), apostrophe ('), underscore (_), and the @ sign.

Grade 5.5 — [Add user] help text#

Several special characters are allowed, including space, period (.), hyphen (-), apostrophe ('), underscore (_), and the @ sign.

Grade 5.5 — [User edit (uid 1)] help text#

Several special characters are allowed, including space, period (.), hyphen (-), apostrophe ('), underscore (_), and the @ sign.

Grade 5.3 — [Site information] description#

This page is displayed when no other content matches the requested document. Leave blank to display a generic "page not found" page.

Grade 5.3 — [Site information] help text#

This page is displayed when no other content matches the requested document. Leave blank to display a generic "page not found" page.

Grade 4.1 — [Status report] description#

This attribute should be explicitly set to Lax, Strict or None. If set to None then the request must be made via HTTPS. See PHP documentation

Grade 4.1 — [Status report] help text#

This attribute should be explicitly set to Lax, Strict or None. If set to None then the request must be made via HTTPS. See PHP documentation

Grade 3.7 — [Add user] description#

Select the desired local time and time zone. Dates and times throughout this site will be displayed using this time zone.

Grade 3.7 — [User edit (uid 1)] description#

Select the desired local time and time zone. Dates and times throughout this site will be displayed using this time zone.

Grade 3.7 — [Add user] help text#

Select the desired local time and time zone. Dates and times throughout this site will be displayed using this time zone.

Grade 3.7 — [User edit (uid 1)] help text#

Select the desired local time and time zone. Dates and times throughout this site will be displayed using this time zone.

Grade 1 — [Site information] description#

How this is used depends on your site's theme.

Grade 1 — [Site information] help text#

How this is used depends on your site's theme.

Grade 1 — [Create basic page] help text#

The date and time that the content was created.

Grade 1 — [Create article] help text#

The date and time that the content was created.