# Word substitutions and one-meaning rulings

Compiled from public secondary sources (STEMG/ASD public pages, TechScribe, Acrolinx, training materials). This is a working approximation, not the official ASD dictionary. When a word is not listed here and feels formal or Latin-derived, prefer the shortest common alternative.

## Unapproved → approved

| Do not use | Use instead |
|---|---|
| utilize, leverage, employ | use |
| commence, initiate, begin, originate | start |
| terminate, cease, conclude | stop, end |
| ensure, verify, confirm, validate, check | make sure (that), examine |
| perform, conduct, execute, carry out | do |
| facilitate, assist | help |
| obtain, acquire, procure | get |
| sufficient, adequate | enough |
| approximately | about |
| prior to | before |
| subsequent to, following (prep.) | after |
| adjacent to | near |
| accomplish | do |
| additional, supplementary | more |
| attempt | try |
| require, necessitate | need, must |
| mandatory | necessary |
| indicate, signify | show |
| observe (=watch) | look at, examine |
| rotate | turn |
| deactivate | turn off, set to off |
| activate, energize (unless technical verb) | turn on, start |
| toxic | poisonous |
| in order to | to |
| via, by means of | through, with |
| due to, owing to | because of |
| in the event of/that | if |
| accessible | (rewrite: "you can get access to") |
| remainder | rest |
| demonstrate | show |
| modify, alter | change |
| construct, fabricate, build | assemble, make |
| retain | keep |
| locate (=find) | find |
| depress (a button) | push, press |
| proceed | continue, go |

## One meaning, one part of speech (canonical rulings)

- **close** — verb only: to move to a position that stops flow, or to operate a circuit breaker. The adjective is unapproved → use **near** ("do not go near the propeller").
- **test** — noun only: "do a test," never "test the system."
- **check** — do not use as a verb for verification → "make sure that" or "examine." 
- **follow** — means only "come after." For rules and steps use **obey**: "Obey the safety instructions."
- **fall** — means only "move down by gravity." For quantities use **decrease**. Never the season.
- **oil** — noun only. "Oil the bearing" → "Put oil on the bearing" / "Lubricate the bearing."
- **right** — direction only, never "correct."
- **clear** — "without blockage." "Wheels are clear of the ground" → "wheels do not touch the ground."
- **help** — verb only; the noun is **aid** ("with the aid of a mirror").
- **above / below** — physical position only. For quantities: **more than / less than**.
- **about** — two approved senses: "approximately" and "on the subject of." Use carefully.
- **turn** — the general verb for rotation; "turn on / turn off" for power state is standard.
- **level** — approved as noun and adjective (documented exception to the one-POS rule).

## Frequent-offender function words

- **should / would / could / may / might** — never. Requirement → **must**. Possibility → **can**. Future → **will**.
- **etc.** — delete, or write the full list.
- **e.g. / i.e.** — "for example" / "that is."
- **any / appropriate / applicable / relevant** as hedges — replace with the specific thing meant.
- **there is / there are** openers — rewrite with a real subject: "There are three bolts on the panel" → "The panel has three bolts."