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#### **Rule 1.11 Do not use different technical nouns for the same item.**

When you select a technical noun, do not use a different technical noun in other parts of your text to refer to the same item.

##### **Example:**

|_Non-STE:_|	1. Make sure that the servo control unitis in the open position.|
|---|---||
||2. Do the operational test of theactuator.|
||3. Disconnect thecontrol unitfrom the test rig.|
|STE:|1. Make sure that theactuatoris in the open position.|
|||2. Do the operational test of theactor.|||3. Disconnect theactuatorfrom the test rig.|

In the non-STE example, "servo control unit," "actuator," and "control unit" refer to the same item. Use the technical noun that is approved in your company, industry, or subject field. If, as in the example, the technical noun is "actuator," then always use this technical noun in your text.

### **Technical verbs**

#### **Rule 1.12 You can use verbs that you can include in a technical verb category.**

A technical verb is a verb term that refers to a specified concept or process and is applicable to a subject field.

The dictionary does not include technical verbs because there are too many, and each subject field uses different technical verbs for their texts.

You can find many of these technical verbs in your company glossary or terminology database. STE gives you a list of categories, with examples, to help you:

- Select technical verbs to put in your company glossary or terminology database.
- Use technical verbs correctly.

Technical verbs must obey the same rules as other approved verbs in STE. Refer to section 3.

You can use technical verbs in procedural and descriptive texts if you can include them in one or more of these four categories.

##### **1.  Manufacturing processes**

Terms that give instructions and information to:

- a) **Remove material:**

<mark>drill, grind, mill, ream, unsolder</mark>

- b) **Add material:**

<mark>flame, insulate, remetal, retread</mark>

- c) **Attach material:**

<mark>braze, crimp, solder, weld</mark>

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- d) **Change the mechanical strength, the structure, or the physical properties of a material:**

<mark>anneal, cure, decay, freeze, heat-treat, magnetize, normalize, vaporize</mark>

- e) **Change the surface finish of a material:**

<mark>buff, burnish, dress, passivate, plate, polish</mark>

- f) **Change the shape of a material:**

<mark>blend, cast, extrude, spin, stamp</mark>

##### **2.  Computer processes and applications**

Terms that give instructions and information for:

- a) **Input and output processes** :

<mark>click, digitize, enter, press, print, swipe, tap, type</mark>

- b) **User interface and application processes** :

<mark>clear, close, copy, cut, delete, deselect, disable, drag, drag and drop, enable, encrypt, erase, filter, highlight, invalidate, maximize, minimize, navigate, open, paste, save, scroll, sort, store, tweet, validate, zoom in, zoom out</mark>

- c) **System operations** :

<mark>abort, boot, communicate, debug, download, format, install, load, manage, process, reboot, update, upgrade, upload</mark>

##### **3.  Instructions and information for applicable subject fields**

Terms that give instructions and information in these contexts:

- a) **Engineering, mathematical, and scientific**

<mark>bisect, compensate for, convert, detect, float, modulate, radiate, transform, sink</mark>

- b) **Medical**

<mark>disinfect, intubate, operate, prescribe, sanitize, sterilize</mark>

- c) **Civil and military operations**

   - <mark>aim, arm, detect, disable, dry-motor, enable, explode, fire, inhibit, intercept, lase, load, lock on, unlatch, unload, wet-motor, parachute</mark>

- d) **Navigation** <mark>approach, descend, deviate, fly, hover, land, maintain, navigate, retrim, take off, trim, respond, taxi</mark>

- e) **Automotive and railway**

<mark>accelerate, brake, couple, crank, crash, decouple, dispatch, drift, inflate, park, qualify, steer</mark>

- f) **Energy, oil, and gas** <mark>compress, distill, drill, emit, extract, inject, pump</mark>

##### **4.  Law and regulations**

Terms that give instructions and information only for legal and regulatory texts. For example, contracts, warranty texts, certificates, standards and specifications, and legal papers.

<mark>acknowledge, comply with, communicate, conform to, describe, enforce, explain, meet (a requirement), inform, modify, notify, omit, regulate, sign, supersede, understand, waive (for inspection and requirements)</mark>

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The technical verbs in their related categories are only examples. Rule 1.12 does not give a full list of all possible technical verbs.

If there is an approved verb in the dictionary that accurately gives the instruction or the information, use the approved verb. Do not use a technical verb if it is possible to write the same sentence with the words (verbs and other related words) that are approved in the dictionary.

##### **Examples:**

_<mark>Non-STE: If you detect broken wires, repair them.</mark>_ ("Detect" is not approved and cannot be a technical verb in this context.) <mark>STE: If you find broken wires, repair them.</mark>

But you can write:

<mark>STE: The security scanner detects metal objects.</mark> ("Detect" is the correct technical verb in this context.)

If you must use technical verbs, use only technical verbs that are correct in your context. Do not use technical verbs that are general or not clear.

##### **Example:**

_<mark>Non-STE: Machine the hole until it has a diameter of 8.00 +/- 0.003 mm.</mark>_ <mark>STE: Ream the hole until it has a diameter of 8.00 +/- 0.003 mm.</mark>

Do not use a technical verb if it is not necessary. If it is possible, use a verb that is approved in the dictionary and an applicable technical noun.

##### **Examples:**

"Clamp" is a technical noun, category 1, official parts information. Do not use "clamp" as a technical verb.

_<mark>Non-STE: Clamp the cable in position.</mark>_ <mark>STE: Put clamps on the cable to hold it in position.</mark>

"Grease" is a technical noun, category 4, materials, consumables, and unwanted material. Do not use "grease" as a technical verb.

_<mark>Non-STE: Grease the fasteners.</mark>_ <mark>STE: Apply grease to the fasteners.</mark>

"Wire" is a technical noun, category 1, official parts information. Do not use "wire" as a technical verb.

_<mark>Non-STE: Wire the cable to the structure.</mark>_ <mark>STE: Attach the cable to the structure with wire.</mark>

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##### <u>Words that are not approved but that can be technical verbs</u>

The dictionary includes some words that, although not approved, can be technical verbs if you can put them in the specified categories.

##### **Examples:**

<mark>STE: Enter your password.</mark> ("Enter" is a technical verb, category 2 a), computer processes and applications, input and output processes.) _<mark>Non-STE: Do not enter the engine test area without approval.</mark>_ <mark>("Enter" is not permitted when it is in a different context.) STE: Do not go into the engine test area without approval.</mark> STE: If the tower does not respond, use a different channel.</mark> ("Respond" is a technical verb, category 3 d), instructions and information for applicable subject fields, navigation.) _<mark>Non-STE: If the instrument fails to respond, do a test.</mark>_ <mark>("Respond" is not permitted when it is in a different context.) STE: If the instrument does not operate correctly, do a test.</mark>

#### **Rule 1.13 Do not use technical verbs as nouns.**

In English, words that look the same do not always have the same function in a sentence. Use technical verbs only as verbs, not as nouns.

##### **Example:**

_<mark>Non-STE: Give the hole 0.20-inch ream.</mark>_ <mark>STE: Ream the hole to a 0.20-inch dimension.</mark>

<mark>But you can use the past participle form of technical verbs as adjectives.</mark>

##### **Example:**

<mark>STE: Lubricate the reamed hole.</mark> (The adjective "reamed" is the past participle form of the technical verb "ream." "Reamed hole" is a technical noun.)

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

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

##### **Examples:**

<mark>STE: Make sure that the plate is not damaged. ("Plate" is a technical noun, category 1, official parts information).</mark>
