---

name: simplified-english description: Write user-facing comments, plans, and documents in ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English — short, unambiguous sentences with approved words and one meaning each — so readers understand them the first time. key: paperclipai/optional/content/simplified-english recommendedForRoles:

• engineer
• product
• writer
• devrel tags:
• writing
• communication
• clarity
• style

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Simplified English

For user-facing comments, plans, and documents, write using only ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English.

Core rules

• Use short sentences (procedures ≤ 20 words, descriptions ≤ 25 words).
• Give one instruction per sentence.
• Use approved words with one meaning each; avoid synonyms and jargon.
• Use the active voice and the present tense.
• Use articles ("the", "a") and do not drop words to save space.
• Write positive instructions; avoid negative or vague qualifiers.
• Keep paragraphs to one topic.

Approved words

The approved words are the ASD-STE100 controlled vocabulary — the Dictionary in the current ASD-STE100 specification, plus the technical names and technical verbs that your subject needs. When a word is not approved, use the simplest common word that has one meaning. Prefer these house choices:

• "start" / "stop" (not "initiate", "commence", "terminate", "kill")
• "make" (not "implement", "leverage", "utilize")
• "before" / "after" (not "prior to", "subsequent to")
• "about" (not "regarding", "in relation to")
• "help" (not "facilitate")
• "use" (not "utilize", "employ")