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# Page 89 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
You can write more than one sentence in a work step:
- When actions occur at the same time
- When a result occurs immediately after an action.
  Examples in STE:
  Make sure that the locking torque of each of the four bolts (6) is a minimum of 0.30 Nm. Then,
  torque each of the four bolts (6) to 4.20 Nm.
  (During a torque procedure, the torque action immediately follows the check of the locking
  torque in one action. Thus, you cannot divide the sentence into two different work steps.)
  Measure the leakage from the outlet port. The leakage must not be more than 0.5 cc/minute.
  (The second sentence here gives the limit for the result of the test. The work step occurs in one
  action, and you cannot divide the sentence into two different work steps.)
  Verbs in procedures

## Rule 5.3 Write instructions in the imperative (command) form.

An instruction tells the reader to do something. Write the verb in the imperative (command) form.
Examples in STE:
Set the switch to ON.
Remove the four bolts.
Increase the pressure to 60 psi.
Inflate the tires.
Install the new O-ring.
The imperative form gives the reader a clear instruction. If you use other types of sentence
structure, you can cause ambiguity. Thus, the reader will not know:
- If it is important to do a work step.
- If a different person did the work step.
- If a different person must do the work step in the future.
  Examples:
  Non-STE: The test can be continued.
  STE: Continue the test.
  Non-STE: Oil and grease are to be removed with a degreasing agent.
  STE: Remove oil and grease with a degreasing agent.
  Do not use the verb "must" before the imperative form, unless the instruction is very important for
  safety (for example, in a safety instruction) or when you give an important condition.

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# Page 90 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
Example:

| Do not write: | Before you remove the clamp, you must disconnect the hose. |
| --- | --- |
| WRITE: | Before you remove the clamp, disconnect the hose. |

| STE: | WARNING: | IF YOU MUST CUT THE WIRE, ALWAYS USE A PROTECTIVE |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  |  | MASK. PIECES OF WIRES CAN CAUSE INJURY. |

Descriptive statements in instructions

## Rule 5.4 When there is a condition that the reader must know about first, start

the instruction with a descriptive statement. Then, divide that
descriptive statement from the command with a comma.
If a special condition is necessary for a work step, the reader must know the condition first.
Write the condition first in the sentence, and then use a comma to show the end of the condition,
and the start of the instruction.
Examples:

| Do not write: | Before you remove the clamp, you must disconnect the hose. |
| --- | --- |
| WRITE: | Before you remove the clamp, disconnect the hose. |

| Do not write: | Before you remove the clamp, you must disconnect the hose. |
| --- | --- |
| WRITE: | Before you remove the clamp, disconnect the hose. |

| Do not write: | Before you remove the clamp, you must disconnect the hose. |
| --- | --- |
| WRITE: | Before you remove the clamp, disconnect the hose. |

WRITE: If the Constant Speed Drive (CSD) does not operate correctly, disconnect it from
the gearbox.
The comma is important. Be careful when you use it because the position of the comma can
change the meaning of your sentence.

| STE: | WARNING: | IF YOU MUST CUT THE WIRE, ALWAYS USE A PROTECTIVE |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  |  | MASK. PIECES OF WIRES CAN CAUSE INJURY. |

If the Constant Speed Drive (CSD) does not operate, correctly disconnect it from the gearbox.
The two sentences in the examples are correct, but their meanings are different. In the first
sentence, the comma after "correctly" shows that the adverb modifies the verb "operate." In the
second sentence, the comma after "operate" shows that the adverb modifies the verb "disconnect."
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# Page 91 of 434

ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
Notes

## Rule 5.5 Write notes only to give information, not instructions.

Notes only give information to help the reader during a procedure. They contain descriptive text and
obey the rules for descriptive writing.
Notes must not give instructions, requirements, or limits.
Examples in STE:

| NOTE: | The gyroscope will become stable after approximately 15 seconds. |
| --- | --- |

| NOTE: | The gyroscope will become stable after approximately 15 seconds. |
| --- | --- |

| NOTE: | The gyroscope will become stable after approximately 15 seconds. |
| --- | --- |

A note can have one or more sentences. Each sentence in a note can have a maximum of
25 words.
Examples in STE:

| NOTE: | The gyroscope will become stable after approximately 15 seconds. |
| --- | --- |

the CROSS FEED port is more than 5 cc/minute.
(One sentence, 22 words.)

| NOTE: | The gyroscope will become stable after approximately 15 seconds. |
| --- | --- |

results.
(Two sentences, 6 words and 8 words.)
Do not use the imperative form in a note. If you use the imperative form, the note becomes an
instruction for a work step.
Example:

| NOTE: | The gyroscope will become stable after approximately 15 seconds. |
| --- | --- |

correctly.
(This text is not a note because it contains the imperative form.)
STE: (6) Make sure that the avionics ventilation system continues to operate
correctly.
(This is work step number 6 in the applicable procedure.)

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ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English
If you include instructions in a note, it is possible that the reader will not see the information. If the
information given in a note is important to prevent damage or injury, you must give such information
in a safety instruction.
Examples:

| Non-STE: | NOTE: | When you connect the lines, do not bend them too much. If you bend |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  |  | the lines too much, you can cause damage to them. |
|  |  |  |
|  |  | (This text is not a note. It is a safety instruction.) |
| STE: | CAUTION: | WHEN YOU CONNECT THE LINES, DO NOT BEND THEM TOO |
|  |  | MUCH. IF YOU BEND THE LINES TOO MUCH, YOU CAN CAUSE |
|  |  |  |
|  |  | DAMAGE TO THEM. |

airflow to the compartment and therefore there is a risk of suffocation.
(Although the non-STE text does not contain the imperative form, it is
not a note. It is a safety instruction.)

### STE: WARNING: BEFORE YOU CLOSE THE HATCH, MAKE SURE THAT NO

### PERSONS ARE IN THE CREW REST COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE

### HATCH IS CLOSED, THERE IS NO AIRFLOW TO THE

### COMPARTMENT AND THERE IS A RISK OF SUFFOCATION.

Do not use a note to give limits, tolerances, or results of a work step. This information must come
directly after the related action in the work step.
Examples:

| Non-STE: | NOTE: | When you connect the lines, do not bend them too much. If you bend |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  |  | the lines too much, you can cause damage to them. |
|  |  |  |
|  |  | (This text is not a note. It is a safety instruction.) |
| STE: | CAUTION: | WHEN YOU CONNECT THE LINES, DO NOT BEND THEM TOO |
|  |  | MUCH. IF YOU BEND THE LINES TOO MUCH, YOU CAN CAUSE |
|  |  |  |
|  |  | DAMAGE TO THEM. |

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