Politicians in positions of power tend to use more complex language compared to those in the opposition, according to a recent study from the University of Copenhagen. Researchers analyzed 1.5 million text samples from 1,000 politicians between 1997 and the present, revealing a distinct shift in language complexity as politicians transition into government roles.

The study indicates that this change isn’t necessarily a deliberate choice, but rather a consequence of the responsibilities and constraints that come with governing. When politicians move from criticizing the government and proposing alternatives to managing regulations and crises, their language becomes more intricate.

Researchers found that politicians in opposition often communicate simple and direct messages, however, those in government become more bound by the assessments of the civil service. Associate Professor Frederik Hjorth explained that ministers, for example, are constrained by bureaucratic evaluations, which leads them to discuss regulation and crisis management in a more complex manner.