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Agent ( # Subject )<br>Passive voice : The main gear leg is held by the side stay.<br>! eee<br>Active voice The side stay i holds | : the main gear leg. :<br>Subject ( = Agent )<br><!-- End of picture text -->

**ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English**

##### <u>Method 4</u>

When the agent (the person or thing that does the action) is not given in the sentence, you can use the pronouns "you" or "we" as subjects in the active form. If the agent is the reader, use "you." If the agent is your company, or organization, use "we."

##### **Examples:**

|_Non-STE:_<br>STE:|_On the ground, the valvecan be opened with the override handle._(Passive_)_<br>On the ground,you can openthe valve with the override handle. (Active)|
|---|---|
|_Non-STE:_<br>STE:|_Additivesare not used in this type of fuel._(Passive)<br>We do not useadditives in this type of fuel. (Active)<br>or|
|STE:|This type of fueldoes not containadditives.|

When you find complex sentences in the passive voice that include auxiliary verbs, decide if you want to write a procedural sentence or a descriptive sentence.

##### **Examples:**

|_Non-STE:_|_The volume control can be adjusted._|
|---|---|
|STE:<br>STE:|Adjust the volume control. (Procedural sentence)<br>You can adjust the volume control. (Descriptive sentence)|
|_Non-STE:_<br>STE:<br>STE:|_The oil temperature must be adjustedbefore the start of the test._<br>Before you start the test, adjust the oil temperature. (Procedural sentence)<br> <br>Before the start of the test, the operator must adjust the oil temperature.<br>(Descriptive sentence)|
|_Non-STE:_|_The valve will be adjusted during the test._|
|STE:<br>STE:|During the test, adjust the valve. (Procedural sentence)<br> <br>NOTE: You will adjust the valve during the test. (Descriptive sentence)|
|_Non-STE:_|_The component is to be installedbefore you do the test._|
|STE:<br>STE:|Before you do the test, install the component. (Procedural sentence)<br> <br>Before the test, the operator must install the component. (Descriptive sentence)|

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**ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English**

### **How to describe an action**

#### **Rule 3.7 Use an approved verb to describe an action, not a noun or other parts of speech.**

There can be different solutions to give the same information in STE. If there is an approved verb that describes an action, use the approved verb. Verbs describe actions more clearly than nouns or other parts of speech.

##### **Examples:**

_<mark>Do not write: The ohmmeter gives an indication of 450 ohms.</mark>_

<mark>WRITE: The ohmmeter shows 450 ohms.</mark>

_<mark>Do not write: Before the removal of the unit, make sure that the power supply is OFF.</mark>_ <mark>WRITE: Before you remove the unit, make sure that the power supply is OFF.</mark>

In the examples, all sentences are in STE but those with direct verbs describe the action more clearly.

If a word is not approved as a verb in the dictionary, do not use it as a verb. Use a different sentence construction to give the same information.

##### **Example:**

_<mark>Non-STE: Check the laptop battery.</mark>_ <mark>STE: Do a check of the laptop battery.</mark>

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**ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English**

# **Section 4 - Sentences**

|_<br>Rule 4.1|**Summary of the rules**<br>**ences and clear sentence structures**<br>Write short and clear sentences.|
|---|---|
|Rule 4.2|Do not omit words or use contractions to make your sentences shorter.|
|_<br>**Vertical lis**|**ts**|
|Rule 4.3|Use a vertical list for complex texts.|
|_<br>**Connectin**|**g words and connecting phrases**|
|Rule 4.4|Use connecting words and connecting phrases to connect sentences that contain<br>related topics.|
|_<br>**Articles a**|**nd demonstrative adjectives**|
|Rule 4.5|When applicable, use an article (the, a, an) or a demonstrative adjective (this, these)<br>before a noun or a multi-word noun.|

### **Short sentences and clear sentence structures**

The basic principle of STE is to make texts easy to read and understand. Thus, you must write short sentences and use clear sentence structures.

In STE, there are different rules for how to write sentences in procedures (section 5) and for how to write sentences in descriptive text (section 6). Section 4 contains the general rules that are applicable to the two types of writing.

#### **Rule 4.1 Write short and clear sentences.**

Write short and clear sentences that give accurate instructions and information.

In procedures, give short and clear instructions directly to the reader (imperative form).

##### **Example:**

_<mark>Non-STE: To remove the cover assembly (9), first remove the four screws (10) that attach the</mark> cover (11) to the housing (12), and then, after taking the cover (11) off the housing (12), remove the preformed packing (13) and throw it away._ STE: 1. Remove the cover assembly (9) as follows: A. Remove the four screws (10) that attach the cover (11) to the housing (12). B. Remove the cover (11) from the housing (12). C. Remove and discard the preformed packing (13).

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