Technical verbs are words that give instructions and information in specified technical and operational contexts. The dictionary does not include technical verbs because there are too many, and each manufacturer uses different words to describe the same action. STE gives you a list of categories, with examples, to help you use technical verbs correctly.

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

Words are technical verbs if you can include them in one of these four categories:

1. Manufacturing processes

Technical verbs in this category give instructions to:

a) Remove material:

Drill, grind, mill, ream

b) Add material:

Flame, insulate, remetal, retread

c) Attach material:

Bond, braze, crimp, rivet, solder, weld

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

Anneal, cure, freeze, heat-treat, magnetize, normalize

e) Change the surface finish of a material:

Buff, burnish, passivate, plate, polish

f) Change the shape of a material:

Cast, extrude, spin, stamp

2. Computer processes and applications

This category of technical verbs is for: a) Input/output processes:
Enter, click, digitize, print

b) User interface and application processes:

Clear, close, copy, cut, delete, drag, drag-and-drop, encrypt, erase, filter, highlight, maximize, minimize, open, paste, save, scroll, sort, store c) System operations:
Abort, boot, communicate, debug, download, format, install, load, manage, process, reboot, update, upgrade, upload

3. Descriptions

This category of technical verbs is only for descriptive texts such as general information, system description and operation texts, and the descriptive parts of service bulletins. Do not use these verbs when you write procedures. These verbs refer to: a) Mathematical, scientific and engineering processes
Bisect, compensate for, detect, emit, modulate, radiate

b) Military processes
Aim, arm, detect, disable, enable, explode, fire, intercept, load, parachute, unload c) Regulatory language
Waive (for inspection and requirements), comply with, conform to, supersede, meet (a requirement)

4. Operational language

This category of technical verbs is only for texts that refer to an operational context. Operational texts tell users how to operate and use something correctly. For example, a manual on how to use a phone, a tablet, a medical device, or a television set is an operational text. Aircrew manuals and land or sea information sets are also operational texts.

Examples:
Airdrop, alert, approach, authorize, brief, call, contact, crank, descend, deviate, disembark, drift, dry-motor, enable, evacuate, fasten, ferry, fly, hover, inform, inhibit, land, load, maintain, navigate, observe, provide, reach, respond, retard, retrim, return, rotate, serve, shut down, sideslip, sit, sleep, switch off, switch on, take off, take over, taxi, tie, trigger, trim, unfasten, unlatch, unload, verify, wet-motor

The listed technical verbs are only examples. This is not the complete list of all possible technical verbs.

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

Examples:

Non-STE: If you detect broken wires, repair them.
STE: If you find broken wires, repair them.
But you can write:
STE: The security scanner detects metallic objects.

If you must use technical verbs, use only specific verbs. Do not use verbs that are general and vague.

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

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

Examples:
“Clamp” is a technical name (category 1, names in the official parts information). Do not use “clamp” as a technical verb.

Non-STE: Clamp the cable in position.

STE: Put clamps on the cable to hold it in position.

“Grease” is a technical name (category 4, names of materials, consumables, and unwanted material). Do not use “grease” as a technical verb.

Non-STE: Grease the fasteners.

STE: Apply grease to the fasteners.

“Wire” is a technical name (category 1, names in the official parts information.) Do not use “wire” as a technical verb.

Non-STE: Wire the cable to the structure.
STE: Attach the cable to the structure with wire.

Unapproved words that can be technical verbs

The dictionary includes some unapproved words that can be technical verbs if you can put them in the specified categories.

Examples:

STE: Enter your password.

(“Enter” is a technical verb, category 2 a), computer processes and applications, input/output processes.)

Non-STE: Do not enter the engine test area without approval.
(“Enter” is an unapproved word that is related to different contexts.)

STE: Do not go into the engine test area without approval.

STE: If the tower does not respond, use a different channel.
(“Respond” is a technical verb, category 4, operational language.)

Non-STE: If the instrument fails to respond, do a test.
STE: If the instrument does not operate correctly, do a test.