Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Content style guide

We, us, you

When referring to VA, use the first-person pronoun (we, us, our). Use the second person (you, your) to refer to Veterans, service members, family members, and other audiences we’re addressing. This aligns with our content principles to speak person-to-person with our customers rather than talking about them.

Like this

Use “we” and “you” for a conversational tone

We offer a variety of health services and VA benefits to meet your needs. For additional contact information, view our phone directory.

Not this

Don’t talk about Veterans. Talk with them, person-to-person.

VA offers a variety of health services and benefits to meet the needs of our nation’s Veterans. For additional contact information, Veterans may also view the VA phone directory.

Sometimes for clarity, you may need to identify who you’re addressing first, before or in addition to using the second-person pronoun.

Like this

Identify the audience as needed, while still using “you” and “your”

If you’re a dependent family member of a Veteran or service member, you can get career and educational counseling through VR&E.

Veterans who own a small business may qualify for advantages when bidding on government contracts. Learn more and register your Veteran-owned small business.

Not this

Dependent family members of Veterans or service members can get career and educational counseling through VR&E.

Veterans who own a small business may qualify for advantages when bidding on government contracts. VA encourages Veterans to learn more and register their Veteran-owned small business.

Last updated: Apr 21, 2022