Every rule, and how hard it binds

26 rules match. Showing 1–25. Clear filters

1. GRM-005 Unambiguous pronoun reference IF a pronoun has two or more plausible antecedents OR none, THEN replace it with the intended noun phrase ELSE retain. Hard constraint
2. GRM-017 Modifier beside its target IF a modifier can attach to the wrong head, THEN move it beside the intended target or expand the phrase ELSE retain. Hard constraint
3. GRM-020 Avoid fused participle logic IF an -ing construction implies a cause, sequence, or actor that the sentence does not support, THEN state the relation in a finite clause ELSE retain. Hard constraint
4. PUN-020 Punctuation preserves hierarchy IF nested structures use indistinguishable boundaries, THEN assign stronger marks to higher-level divisions OR split the sentence ELSE retain. Hard constraint
5. SYN-004 Use passive voice for a reason IF a clause is passive, THEN retain it only when the receiver is the topic, the actor is unknown or irrelevant, blame should be softened, or domain convention requires it ELSE convert to active. Context default
6. SYN-007 Limit nested clauses for general audiences IF clause nesting exceeds two levels AND the audience is not expert-only, THEN split or promote a buried clause ELSE retain necessary complexity. Heuristic
7. SYN-008 Given information before new information IF a sentence introduces new information before the anchor it depends on, THEN reorder from shared context to new contribution ELSE retain a deliberate surprise. Heuristic
8. SYN-009 End-weight complex material IF a long complex phrase separates subject from verb OR delays the core relation, THEN move that weight later when meaning permits ELSE retain. Heuristic
9. SYN-012 Preserve logical connector meaning IF two propositions are joined, THEN choose a connector whose relation matches addition, contrast, cause, condition, concession, sequence, example, or result ELSE state the relation explicitly. Hard constraint
10. SYN-013 Coordinate equals; subordinate dependencies IF two ideas have equal rhetorical rank, THEN coordinate them; IF one supplies cause, condition, time, concession, or support, THEN subordinate it ELSE use separate sentences. Context default
11. SYN-014 Avoid ambiguous scope of only, not, and even IF a focusing or negative operator can modify more than one constituent, THEN move it directly before the intended scope ELSE retain. Hard constraint
12. SYN-015 Resolve misplaced relative clause IF a relative clause can attach to the wrong noun, THEN move it beside the intended antecedent or repeat the noun ELSE retain. Hard constraint
13. SYN-017 Avoid accidental garden paths IF the opening strongly invites a wrong parse that must be revised later, THEN add a boundary, determiner, complementizer, or reorder ELSE retain intentional suspense. Heuristic
14. SYN-018 Match sentence force to intent IF the intended speech act is command, question, assertion, offer, or warning, THEN select a grammatical form that makes that act clear ELSE request intent. Hard constraint
15. SYN-020 Split overloaded sentences by proposition IF a sentence contains more than three major propositions OR more than one unrelated rhetorical move, THEN split at the strongest logical boundary ELSE retain. Heuristic
16. STR-002 Expose the paragraph point IF the paragraph’s controlling point is absent or recoverable only after rereading, THEN state or move it to a strategic position ELSE retain an intentional delayed reveal. Heuristic
17. CLR-006 Replace vague reference words IF THIS, THAT, IT, THEY, FORMER, or LATTER has an uncertain referent, THEN repeat or summarize the referent ELSE retain. Hard constraint
18. CLR-008 Use concrete examples after abstractions IF a central abstraction lacks a concrete instance AND the audience knowledge gap is moderate or large, THEN add one representative example ELSE retain. Heuristic
19. CLR-011 Put the main point before qualifications IF qualifications delay the main clause beyond easy recovery, THEN state the core point first and attach the qualifications clearly ELSE retain legally necessary order. Heuristic
20. CLR-014 Retain necessary qualifiers IF removing a qualifier changes claim truth, scope, uncertainty, population, or time, THEN retain or strengthen it ELSE it may be compressed. Hard constraint
21. CLR-015 Use readability scores diagnostically IF a readability metric flags difficulty, THEN inspect vocabulary, syntax, concepts, and assumed knowledge; do not simplify solely to hit a number ELSE retain. Heuristic
22. VOI-007 Place emphasis at structural edges IF one idea deserves emphasis, THEN place it at the sentence opening or ending rather than burying it mid-clause ELSE retain. Heuristic
23. VOI-010 Metaphor must preserve the model IF a metaphor explains a mechanism, THEN map its relevant correspondences and state its boundary when overextension would mislead ELSE use it only decoratively. Hard constraint
24. ARG-006 Qualify to the evidence boundary IF claim scope exceeds evidence population, conditions, time, or uncertainty, THEN narrow or qualify the claim ELSE retain. Hard constraint
25. ARG-016 Conclusion does not outrun premises IF the conclusion adds a stronger, broader, or different claim than the argument established, THEN narrow it or add the missing support ELSE retain. Hard constraint