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# Page 105 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English

## Rule 7.2 Start a safety instruction with a clear and accurate command or

condition.
Start a safety instruction with a clear and accurate command or condition. Your reader must know
how to prevent accidents and keep a high level of safety.
Examples in STE:
(Refer to the underlined command.)

| WARNING: | DO NOT SWALLOW THE SOLVENT. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW |
| --- | --- |
|  | THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOLVENTS. |
|  | SOLVENTS ARE POISONOUS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. |

| CAUTION: | DO NOT USE BLEACH OR CLEANSERS THAT CONTAIN CHLORINE TO CLEAN |
| --- | --- |
|  | THE UNIT. THESE CLEANING AGENTS CAN CAUSE CORROSION. |

If your reader must know about a condition before the start of a procedure or work step, give this
condition first.
Examples in STE:
(Refer to the underlined condition.)

| WARNING: | DO NOT SWALLOW THE SOLVENT. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW |
| --- | --- |
|  | THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOLVENTS. |
|  | SOLVENTS ARE POISONOUS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. |

### IF THEY FALL, PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE PARTS CAN OCCUR.

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# Page 106 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English

## Rule 7.3 Give an explanation to show the risk or possible result.

If it is possible, always tell your reader about the problems that can occur if the reader does not
obey the safety instruction. If there is a clear and specified risk, the person who does the task will
understand the risk and be more careful. The examples that follow are those given in rule 7.2, in
which the underlined explanation clearly shows the risk or possible result.
Examples:
(Refer to the underlined risk or possible result.)

| WARNING: | DO NOT SWALLOW THE SOLVENT. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW |
| --- | --- |
|  | THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOLVENTS. |
|  | SOLVENTS ARE POISONOUS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. |

| CAUTION: | DO NOT USE BLEACH OR CLEANSERS THAT CONTAIN CHLORINE TO CLEAN |
| --- | --- |
|  | THE UNIT. THESE CLEANING AGENTS CAN CAUSE CORROSION. |

| WARNING: | DO NOT SWALLOW THE SOLVENT. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW |
| --- | --- |
|  | THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND FIRST AID INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOLVENTS. |
|  | SOLVENTS ARE POISONOUS AND CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. |

### IF THEY FALL, PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE PARTS CAN OCCUR.

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# Page 107 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English

## Section 8 - Punctuation and word count

Summary of the rules
Punctuation
Rule 8.1 You can use all standard English punctuation marks but not the semicolon (;).

## Rule 8.2 Use hyphens (-) to connect words that are directly related.

## Rule 8.3 You can use parentheses:

- To make references to illustrations or text
- To include letters or numbers that identify items on an illustration or in a text
- To identify the work steps in a procedure
- To include abbreviations
- To give the singular and plural forms of a noun at the same time
- To explain words or a part of a sentence
- To include an alternative.
  Word count
  Rule 8.4 In a vertical list, a colon (:) has the same effect on word count as a period and shows
  the end of a sentence.
  Rule 8.5 When you put text in parentheses, it counts as one word in that sentence.

## Rule 8.6 Count each of these elements as one word:

- Numbers
- Numbers together with units of measurement
- Abbreviations
- Alphanumeric identifiers
- Quoted text
- Titles, headings, placards, and labels
- Proper nouns of individuals, groups, organizations, and geopolitical entities.

## Rule 8.7 Hyphenated words count as one word.

Punctuation
Correct punctuation is important because it prevents ambiguity and shows how the different parts
of the text are related.
STE does not give you rules about general punctuation. For more information, refer to official
reference books. For example:
- The Chicago Manual of Style. (2024). The Chicago manual of style (18th ed.).
- Sabin, W. A. (2011). The Gregg reference manual: A manual of style, grammar, usage, and
  formatting (10th ed.).
- U.S. Government Publishing Office. (2020). U.S. Government Publishing Office style manual.
- Swan, M. (2017). Practical English usage (4th ed.).
- Kirkman, J. (2006). Punctuation matters: Advice on punctuation for scientific and technical
  writing.

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# Page 108 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English

## Rule 8.1 You can use all standard English punctuation marks but not the

semicolon (;).
The semicolon (;) is not permitted in STE because it lets you write very long sentences. It is also
not easy to use correctly. As an alternative to the semicolon, always write two different sentences.
Examples:

| Non-STE: | (1) Examine the removed parts; replace the damaged ones. |
| --- | --- |
| STE: | (1) Examine the removed parts for damage. |
|  | (2) Replace the damaged part(s). |

| Non-STE: | (1) Examine the removed parts; replace the damaged ones. |
| --- | --- |
| STE: | (1) Examine the removed parts for damage. |
|  | (2) Replace the damaged part(s). |

replace it.

## Rule 8.2 Use hyphens (-) to connect words that are directly related.

A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that connects words or parts of words. Use the hyphen for
technical nouns to show that two or more words are directly related. This construction helps the
reader to understand words and phrases more easily.
The examples that follow show how to use hyphens to connect words that are directly related.
1. Terms that have two or more words and are adjectives before a noun:
  low-altitude flight, high-pressure chamber, air-conditioned compartment, transmitter-receiver
  system, quick-release fastener, clamshell-type flap, eighteen-inch monitor, cast-aluminum
  bracket, three-to-one ratio, trial-and-error method, air-to-air refueling, soap-and-water solution,
  up-to-date information, run-on torque, break-away torque, cut-in speed, in-flight entertainment
  system, stiff-bristled brush, fire-resistant material, self-sealing hose
2. Two-word fractions or numbers:
  forty-seven, ninety-ninth, one hundred and sixty-two, three-sixteenths, one thirty-second
3. Terms that contain an uppercase letter plus a noun, or a number plus a noun, and that
  usually give the shape or configuration of something:
  L-shaped bracket, O-ring, T-shirt, U-beam, Y-coupling, V-band clamp, 3-prong connector,
  180-grit abrasive cloth
4. Verbs that contain a noun or a different part of speech as the first part:
  die-cast, arc-weld, fusion-bond, stop-drill, vacuum-pack, heat-treat, jump-start, air-condition,
  short-circuit, fast-forward, cold-roll, dry-clean, blow-dry
5. Terms in which the end of the prefix is a vowel, and the root word starts with a vowel:
  pre-amplifier, de-icing, anti-icing, pre-engage
  A hyphen is different from a dash, which divides ideas, shows a range, or gives a signal for a
  pause. A dash is usually longer than a hyphen, but it is at times shown as a hyphen with a
  space on each side.
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