# Page 49–52 of 434

> **Source:** ASD-STE100 Issue 9, January 2025
> **Pages:** 49–52 of 434

# Page 49 of 434

## Part 1 - Writing rules

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:** _<mark>Non-STE: Make sure that the two spigots at the base of the unit engage.</mark>_ ("Base" is not permitted when it is related to a surface.)
> **STE:** <mark>STE: Make sure that the two spigots at the bottom of the unit engage.</mark>

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

> **STE:** <mark>STE: The base of the triangle is 5 cm.</mark> ("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:** <mark>STE: Access to the base is permitted between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.</mark> ("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:** <mark>STE: Do the backup of the computer at regular intervals.</mark>

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

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“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.)
> **Non-STE:** _For this procedure, make sure that one person is available as backup._ (“Backup” is not permitted and you cannot use it in this context.)
> **STE:** Two persons are necessary to do this procedure. (Different sentence construction)

“Main” is a word that is not approved, and its alternative is “primary (adj).”

#### Examples:

> **Non-STE:** _The laptop has these main parts:_ (“Main part” is not a technical noun, and it is correct to replace “main” with “primary.”)
> **STE:** The laptop has these primary parts:

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

> **STE:** <mark>STE: Retract the main landing gear.</mark> ("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:** This procedure gives instructions to identify the relative angular positions of the power-turbine rotor disks. (You can use “relative” as part of a technical noun, category 7, mathematical, scientific, engineering terms, and formulas.)

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### 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:** _<mark>Non-STE: Oil the steel surfaces.</mark>_
> **STE:** <mark>STE: Apply oil to the steel surfaces.</mark>

“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:** _Non-STE: If you think it will snow, make sure that the vehicle is in the applicable configuration._
> **STE:** <mark>STE: If you think that snow will fall, make sure that the vehicle is in the applicable</mark> configuration.

#### <u>Words that can be technical nouns and technical verbs</u>

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).

#### Examples in STE:

> **STE:** <mark>If the surface is hard, use a carbide drill.</mark>

(“Drill” is a technical noun, rule 1.5, category 3, tools and support equipment, their parts, and location on them.)

> **STE:** <mark>Drill a hole at the intersection of the two lines.</mark>

(“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:** <mark>STE: The front panel of the phone has a touchscreen and a home button.</mark>

(“Touchscreen” and “home button” are technical nouns that are approved in your company, industry, or subject field.)

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### 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:** During logging operations, attach achokerto the heavy machinery to hold the logs in their position. (A “choker” is a type of cable used in logging operations to attach logs during 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 acableto the heavy machinery to hold the logs in their position.
> **Non-STE:** After the firmware update, do notbrickthe router. (“Brick” is technical slang in information technology, with the meaning of “to make a device non-operational.” Its meaning is not immediately clear to the reader.)
> **STE:** After the firmware update, do notset the router to OFF.
> **Non-STE:** _Remove yourgearfrom the work area._ (“Gear” is technical jargon that refers to tools and equipment, and its meaning is not immediately clear to the reader.)
> **STE:** Remove yourtools and equipmentfrom the work area.
