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# Page 109 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English

## 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.
  In STE, you can use parentheses as follows:
1. To make references to illustrations or text
  Examples in STE:
  Remove the valve (10, Figure 1).
  Install the cover (refer to paragraphs 2 thru 5).
2. To include letters or numbers that identify items on an illustration or in a text
  Examples in STE:
  Disconnect the hoses (2) and (12) from the suction ejector (8).
  Remove the nuts (74), the washers (76), the bolts (68), the seals (70), and the bonding straps
  (72).
3. To identify the work steps in a procedure
  Example in STE:
  (1) Install the locking cap (4) on the body (8).
  (2) Safety the locking cap (4) with the cotter pin (5).
  (3) Install a new retaining ring (6).
4. To include abbreviations
  Example in STE:
  A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is a flat-panel display that uses the light-modulating properties of
  liquid crystals.
5. To give the singular and plural forms of a noun at the same time
  Example in STE:

| A. Before you do the test(s), install the component(s). |
| --- |
| B. Do the applicable test(s). |

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# Page 110 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
6. To explain words or a part of a sentence
  Examples in STE:
  Increase the pressure slowly (not more than 10 psi each minute).
  Make sure that the BLEED pushbutton switch is released (the ON legend is off).
7. To include an alternative
  Example in STE:
  Open the left (right) access panel L42 (R42).
  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.
In a vertical list, a colon (:) divides the first part of the sentence from the subsequent items in the
vertical list. This colon has the effect of a period (full stop). Thus:
- In procedural sentences, you can use a maximum of 20 words before the colon.
- In descriptive sentences, you can use a maximum of 25 words before the colon.
  Each item in a vertical list that comes after the colon counts as a new sentence. Thus, the limit for
  each item in a vertical list is:
- 20 words for procedural sentences
- 25 words for descriptive sentences.
  Example in STE:
  To extinguish a possible fire, portable fire extinguishers are installed
  in these areas: (13 words)
- The cockpit (2 words)
- The cabin (2 words)
- The cabin sub-compartment (3 words)
- The crew rest compartment. (4 words)
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# Page 111 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English

## Rule 8.5 When you put text in parentheses, it counts as one word in that

sentence.
When you count words for sentence length, text in parentheses counts as one word of that
sentence. But the words that you put between parentheses also make a new sentence. Thus,
count them in that different sentence.
Example in STE:
Make sure that the EMER pushbutton switch is released (the EMER legend is off).
(This sentence has 10 words, because the text in parentheses counts as one word. The
sentence in parentheses has 5 words and counts as a different sentence.)
If there is an identifier in parentheses (a number, a letter, or an alphanumeric identifier), this
identifier counts as one word in the sentence. Abbreviations in parentheses also count as one
word.
Examples in STE:
Remove the safety pin (10). (5 words)
Installation of a Business Class (B/C) Seat (7 words)

| Hardware and Software Configuration Check of the |
| --- |
| In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) System (11 words) |

## 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, and text on placards and labels
- Proper nouns of individuals, groups, organizations,
  and geopolitical entities.
  When you count words for sentence length, count each of these as one word:
1. Numbers
  Examples in STE:
  Do steps 13 thru 16 a minimum of three times. (10 words)
  ("13" and "16" are numbers and each of them counts as one word.)
  The spar box has twenty-one ribs. (6 words)
  ("Twenty-one" is a number and counts as one word.)

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ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
Do not count numbers that identify paragraphs or work steps. These numbers are usually
part of the document numbering systems.
2. Numbers together with units of measurement
  Units of measurement usually follow their related number (for example, 10 mA). When you write a
  number together with its unit of measurement, count them as one word.
  Examples in STE:
  Make sure that the temperature in the room is 10 °C. (10 words)
  Make sure that the temperature in the room is 10 degrees Celsius. (10 words)
  The unit weighs 20 kg. (4 words)
  The unit weighs 20 kilograms. (4 words)
  The resistance must be 10  (5 words)
  The resistance must be 10 ohms. (5 words)
3. Abbreviations
  In technical texts, you can use abbreviations (also acronyms and initialisms) to make sentences
  shorter and easier to read. But these abbreviations only help the reader if the reader knows their
  meanings. Each abbreviation counts as one word.
  Examples in STE:
  The maintenance team does a test of this system each day at 10 a.m. (13 words)
  ("a.m." is an abbreviation and counts as one word together with its number.)
  During this safety check, obey NASA protocols. (7 words)
  (NASA is an abbreviation (acronym) and counts as one word.)
  For remote access, use the VPN. (6 words)
  (VPN is an abbreviation (initialism) and counts as one word.)
4. Alphanumeric identifiers
  An alphanumeric identifier is a combination of letters and numbers that identifies something.
  Each alphanumeric identifier counts as one word.
  Examples in STE:
  Examine the No. 1 bearing installation. (5 words)
  ("No. 1" is an alphanumeric identifier and counts as one word.)
  Tag circuit breaker 36L7. (4 words)
  ("36L7" is an alphanumeric identifier and counts as one word.)
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