<!-- section: RULES+CAT | pages: 53-56 | verified: true -->

# Page 53 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
The technical nouns in their related categories are only examples. Rule 1.5 does not give a
full list of all possible technical nouns. The listed words in each category have uppercase
letters only when it is necessary. For example, official identifications, titles, and
abbreviations.

## Rule 1.6 Use a word that is not approved in the dictionary, only when it is a

technical noun or part of a technical noun.
The dictionary includes some words that you cannot use because they are not approved. But if you
can put these words in an applicable category of technical nouns, you can use them as technical
nouns in some contexts.
Examples:
The word “base” is not approved in the dictionary and its alternative is “bottom (n).”

| Non-STE: | Make sure that the two spigots at the base of the unit engage. |
| --- | --- |

(“Base” is not permitted when it is related to a surface.)

| STE: | Make sure that the two spigots at the bottom of the unit engage. |
| --- | --- |

But you can use “base” as a technical noun.

| STE: | Make sure that the two spigots at the bottom of the unit engage. |
| --- | --- |

(“Base” is a technical noun, category 7, mathematical, scientific, engineering
terms, and formulas.)
The same word “base” can go into different categories of technical nouns. This condition occurs
when you use the word “base” with different meanings in different contexts.
Example:

| STE: | Make sure that the two spigots at the bottom of the unit engage. |
| --- | --- |

(“Base” is a technical noun, category 5, facilities, infrastructure, and logistic
procedures.)
“Backup” is not approved in the dictionary and its alternatives are “emergency (n)” and “auxiliary
(adj).” But you can use “backup” as a technical noun.
Example:

| STE: | Make sure that the two spigots at the bottom of the unit engage. |
| --- | --- |

(“Backup” is a technical noun, category 19, computer science, information and
communication technology.)

## Issue 9 Part 1 - Writing rules Page 1-1-9

2025-01-15# Page 54 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
“Backup” is a one-word technical noun. But you can also write “backup file,” a two-word technical
noun.
Examples:

| STE: | Keep the backup file in a safe area. |
| --- | --- |

(“Backup file” is a technical noun, category 19, computer science, information and
communication technology.)

| STE: | Keep the backup file in a safe area. |
| --- | --- |

(“Backup” is not permitted and you cannot use it in this context.)

| STE: | Keep the backup file in a safe area. |
| --- | --- |

(Different sentence construction)
“Main” is a word that is not approved, and its alternative is “primary (adj).”
Examples:

| STE: | Keep the backup file in a safe area. |
| --- | --- |

(“Main part” is not a technical noun, and it is correct to replace “main” with
“primary.”)

| STE: | Keep the backup file in a safe area. |
| --- | --- |

But you can use “main” as part of a technical noun.

| STE: | Keep the backup file in a safe area. |
| --- | --- |

(“Main landing gear” is a technical noun. It is incorrect to replace “main” with
“primary” here, because “primary landing gear” is not the technical noun that is
approved in your company, industry, or subject field.)
If a word is not in the dictionary, you can use it if it is part of a technical noun. In the example that
follows, “angular” and “position” are approved but “relative” is not in the dictionary.
Example:

| STE: | Keep the backup file in a safe area. |
| --- | --- |

power-turbine rotor disks.
(You can use “relative” as part of a technical noun, category 7, mathematical,
scientific, engineering terms, and formulas.)
Page 1-1-10 Part 1 - Writing rules Issue 9
2025-01-15# Page 55 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English

## Rule 1.7 Do not use words that are technical nouns as verbs.

Use a technical noun only as a noun or as an adjective that is part of a different technical noun. Do
not use the same word as a verb.
Examples:
“Oil” is a technical noun, category 4, materials, consumables, and unwanted material. Do not use
“oil” as a verb. Use a different sentence construction that lets you use “oil” as a technical noun.

| Non-STE: | Oil the steel surfaces. |
| --- | --- |
| STE: | Apply oil to the steel surfaces. |

“Snow” is a technical noun, category 16, environmental and operational conditions. Do not use
“snow” as a verb. Use a different sentence construction that lets you use “snow” as a technical
noun.

| Non-STE: | Oil the steel surfaces. |
| --- | --- |
| STE: | Apply oil to the steel surfaces. |

| STE: | The front panel of the phone has a touchscreen and a home button. |
| --- | --- |
|  | (“Touchscreen” and “home button” are technical nouns that are approved in your |
|  | company, industry, or subject field.) |

In some contexts, the same word can be a technical noun and a technical verb. This condition
occurs when you can put this word in a technical noun category (rule 1.5) and in a technical verb
category (rule 1.12).

| STE: | The front panel of the phone has a touchscreen and a home button. |
| --- | --- |
|  | (“Touchscreen” and “home button” are technical nouns that are approved in your |
|  | company, industry, or subject field.) |

location on them.)
Drill a hole at the intersection of the two lines.
(“Drill” is a technical verb, rule 1.12, category 1 a), manufacturing processes, remove material.)

## Rule 1.8 Use technical nouns that are approved in your company, industry, or

subject field.
If your company, industry, or subject field, has an approved technical noun for a system,
component, part, or process, use that technical noun. Usually, such technical nouns are included in
official parts information and in company documentation.
Example:

| STE: | The front panel of the phone has a touchscreen and a home button. |
| --- | --- |
|  | (“Touchscreen” and “home button” are technical nouns that are approved in your |
|  | company, industry, or subject field.) |

## Issue 9 Part 1 - Writing rules Page 1-1-11

2025-01-15# Page 56 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English

## Rule 1.9 When you must select a technical noun, use one which is short and easy

to understand.
When there is no technical noun that is approved in your company, industry, or subject field, select
one that is short (not more than three words) and easy to understand.
Example:

| Non-STE: | Remove the four stainless steel pan head machine screws (10) that attach the |
| --- | --- |
|  | metallic machined flange (15) to the front housing cover (20). |
| STE: | Remove the four screws (10) that attach the flange (15) to the cover (20). |

In this example, it is sufficient to use the words “screws,” “flange,” and “cover.” This is because
these parts have index numbers, and the related illustration clearly identifies them. Differently, add
one or two adjectives to the noun to help your reader understand.

## Rule 1.10 Do not use regional, slang, or jargon words as technical nouns.

There can be technical words that only persons in confined regions or geographical areas use.
These words are not easy to understand for persons who are from a different region or area.
When you select technical nouns, always use well-known words.
This rule is also applicable to technical slang or jargon words. If only a small number of persons
understand a word, it will cause confusion and non-effective communication.
Examples:

| Non-STE: | Remove the four stainless steel pan head machine screws (10) that attach the |
| --- | --- |
|  | metallic machined flange (15) to the front housing cover (20). |
| STE: | Remove the four screws (10) that attach the flange (15) to the cover (20). |

transportation. It is a term used in some regions of North America and Canada,
Northern Europe, and New Zealand. Its meaning is not immediately clear to the
reader.)

| STE: | During logging operations, attach a cable to the heavy machinery to hold the logs |
| --- | --- |
|  | in their position. |

| Non-STE: | Remove the four stainless steel pan head machine screws (10) that attach the |
| --- | --- |
|  | metallic machined flange (15) to the front housing cover (20). |
| STE: | Remove the four screws (10) that attach the flange (15) to the cover (20). |

| STE: | During logging operations, attach a cable to the heavy machinery to hold the logs |
| --- | --- |
|  | in their position. |

(“Gear” is technical jargon that refers to tools and equipment, and its meaning is
not immediately clear to the reader.)

| STE: | During logging operations, attach a cable to the heavy machinery to hold the logs |
| --- | --- |
|  | in their position. |

2025-01-15
