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ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
5. Quoted text
  Quoted text is usually given in quotation marks ("...") Words between quotation marks count as one
  word in a sentence. In some sentences, or parts of the document, uppercase letters or differences
  in font can also show quoted text. Such text also counts as one word.
  Examples in STE:
  Touch the "Service Overview" arrow to select the function page. (9 words)
  ("Service Overview" is quoted text and counts as one word.)
  Release the SHORT-CIRCUIT TEST switch. (4 words)
  (SHORT-CIRCUIT TEST is quoted text and counts as one word.)
  C = (A - B) - 0.063 mm (1 word)
  (In STE, a formula is quoted text and counts as one word.)
6. Titles, headings, and text on placards and labels
  In some texts, there are words or groups of words that you cannot change. These are:
- Titles and headings
- Text on placards (for example, a warning notice in a work area or public place)
- Text on labels (for example, warning and caution labels that are attached to objects).
  Examples in STE:
  Before you start a repair, refer to the Structural Repair Manual for the applicable safety
  procedures and precautions. (16 words)
  ("Structure Repair Manual" is the title of the document and counts as one word.)
  Refer to Testing and Fault Isolation, page block 1001. (6 words)
  ("Testing and Fault Isolation" is the title of a section in a manual and counts as one word.)
  Refer to Requirements after Job Completion for the applicable procedures. (7 words)
  ("Requirements after Job Completion" is a heading in a data module and counts as one word.)
  This procedure is for the inspection of SSI No. 57-21-16, "Outer wing bottom skin lower surface
  spanwise skin joints at stringer 13 and stringer 20 between Rib 12 and Rib 27 excluding areas
  covered by flap track fairings 3, 4, and 5." (9 words)
  ("This procedure is for the inspection of" has 7 words. "SSI No. 57-21-16" is the reference
  number of the Structurally Significant Item (SSI) and counts as one word. The subsequent text
  given in quotation marks is the title of the SSI. It is not in STE, and it is not possible to change it.
  Thus, this text counts as one word. As a result, the full sentence has a total of 9 words.)
  "Interior hazards exist to such a degree that interior operations may be conducted only after full
  examination, and with extreme caution." (1 word)
  (The text given in quotation marks is not in STE. It comes from a placard, and it is not possible
  to change it. It counts as one word.)

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ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
"FRAGILE - Please handle with care." (1 word)
(The text given in quotation marks is not in STE. It comes from a label on shipping containers,
and it is not possible to change it. It counts as one word.)
7. Proper nouns of individuals, groups, organizations, and geopolitical entities.
  There are groups of words that you cannot change because they identify:
- Individuals (for example, John Smith)
- Groups or organizations (for example, World Health Organization)
- Geopolitical entities (for example, Republic of Ireland).
  Examples in STE:
  The first president of the United States of America was George Washington. (8 words)
  ("United States of America" is the proper noun of a geopolitical entity and counts as one word.
  "George Washington" is a proper noun of an individual and counts as one word.)
  The owner of STE is the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe.
  (7 words)
  ("Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe" is the proper noun of an
  organization and counts as one word.)

## Rule 8.7 Hyphenated words count as one word.

Groups of words that are not usually adjectives but have the function of an adjective before a noun
are hyphenated. Such groups of words count as one word.
Examples in STE:
Clean the surface with a soap-and-water solution. (7 words)
Use the trial-and-error method. (4 words)
When you use hyphens in long technical nouns to make them clearer to the reader, a hyphenated
group of words also counts as one word.
Examples in STE:
Cutoff-switch power connection (3 words)
Main-gear-door retraction-winch handle (3 words)
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ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English

## Section 9 - Writing practices

Summary of the rules
Different sentence constructions
Rule 9.1 Use a different sentence construction to write a sentence when a word-for-word
replacement is not sufficient.
How to use approved words correctly

## Rule 9.2 Use each approved word correctly.

## Rule 9.3 When you use two words together, do not make phrasal verbs.

Consistent style

## Rule 9.4 When you select terminology or wording, always use a consistent style.

General recommendations
GR-1 The conjunction "that"
GR-2 The preposition "with"
GR-3 How to use pronouns
GR-4 The pronoun "this"
GR-5 False friends
GR-6 Latin abbreviations
GR-7 Inclusive language
GR-8 Possessive form
Different sentence constructions

## Rule 9.1 Use a different sentence construction to write a sentence when a word-

for-word replacement is not sufficient.
STE is a controlled natural language with a controlled dictionary.
To help you use the approved words correctly, the dictionary gives approved alternatives for words
that are not approved. If you find an alternative that has the same part of speech, you can use it to
replace the word that is not permitted (a word-for-word replacement).
Example:

| Non-STE: | A value of 2 mm is acceptable. |
| --- | --- |

("Acceptable" is not approved.)

| STE: | A value of 2 mm is permitted. |
| --- | --- |

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ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
When you replace a word, always make sure that the alternative that you select does not change
the meaning of the sentence. If the meaning changes, or if the alternative does not have the same
part of speech, you must use a different sentence construction.
A different sentence construction is necessary because:
1. You must change the grammatical structure of the sentence to use the alternative that
  you selected. Usually, the STE examples show you how to do this.
  Examples:
  Non-STE: The oil level on the sight gauge must be visible during the test.
  STE: During the test, make sure that you can see the oil level on the sight gauge.
  In this example, the approved verb "see" replaces the adjective "visible." But to use the verb "see,"
  it is necessary to replace "must be" with "make sure that you can."
  Non-STE: Cycle the unit twice to remove air from the lines.
  STE: Operate the unit for two cycles to remove air from the lines.
  In this example, the approved noun "cycle" together with the approved verb "operate" replaces the
  verb "cycle." And the technical noun "two" replaces the adverb "twice."
  When you use different sentence constructions, always make sure that you use approved words
  that do not change the meaning of the sentence.
2. The word-for-word replacement of the word that is not approved gives a meaningless
  result.
  Example:
  Non-STE: Without this modification, the service life of the unit can be uncertain.
  "Uncertain" is not in the dictionary, but it means "not sure" or "not known." Thus, you can refer to
  "sure" and "know" in the dictionary. You will find that they are approved, and you can use "not sure"
  and "not known" ("not" + the approved word).
  But do not write:
  Non-STE: Without this modification, the service life of the unit cannot be sure.
  or
  Without this modification, the service life of the unit cannot be known.
  These sentences are not clear, and they are not good English. You must think about the meaning
  of the sentence and then use a different sentence construction.
  Non-STE: Without this modification, the service life of the unit can be uncertain.
  STE: Without this modification, it is possible that the service life of this unit will be
  shorter than usual.
  The STE sentence uses approved words to give the same information clearly. Always make sure
  that you know the purpose of your communication and that the words that you use give the
  meaning that you want.
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