Articles
 
 RULE: 2.3 When appropriate, use an article (the, a, an) or a demonstrative adjective (this, these) before a noun.
 
 Do not omit articles from text to try to make the text shorter or more official sounding. Articles show where the noun phrases are.
 
 Example:
 
 WRITE:  Lift up the assembly and put it in a box.
 NOT:  Lift up assembly and put in box.

 
 Articles are not necessary before all nouns in a series or before mass nouns used in general statements.
 
 Example:
 
Put the packings, gaskets, and seals in a safe location.
 
Solvents used in these repairs can cause damage to paint.
 
 Section 3 - Verbs
 
 Summary of the Rules
 
 RULE: 3.1 Use only those forms of the verb that are listed in the Dictionary (Part 2).
 
 RULE: 3.2 Use the approved forms of the verb to make only: 
 
      The infinitive
 
      The imperative
 
      The simple present tense
 
      The simple past tense
 
      The future tense
 
 RULE: 3.3 Use the past participle only as an adjective: either with a noun or after the verbs TO BE, TO BECOME.
 
RULE: 3.4 Do not use the past participle with a form of the verb HAVE to make an unapproved tense.
 
 RULE: 3.5 Do not use the past participle of a verb with a helping verb to make a complex verb.
 
 RULE: 3.6 Use the active voice. Use only the active voice in procedural writing, and as much as possible in descriptive writing.
 
 RULE: 3.7 If there is an approved verb to describe an action, use the verb (not a noun or other part of speech).
 
 Forms and Tenses of Verbs
 
 RULE: 3.1 Use only those forms of the verb that are listed in the Dictionary (Part 2).
 
 The Dictionary gives you the forms that you can use of each approved verb (for example: ADJUST, ADJUSTS, ADJUSTED, ADJUSTED). Use only those forms of the verb that are listed in the Dictionary. For example, do not use the "-ing" forms of a verb. There are words with "-ing'" endings in the Dictionary, but they are always nouns, adjectives, or prepositions.