Every rule, and how hard it binds

20 rules match. Clear filters

1. GRM-019 Logical negation IF two negatives unintentionally cancel into a positive, THEN replace them with the intended positive or single negative ELSE retain deliberate litotes or dialect. Hard constraint
2. SYN-003 Prefer visible actor–action order IF the reader must act or identify responsibility AND no stronger reason favors passive voice, THEN place the actor before the action ELSE retain. Context default
3. SYN-005 Put conditions before instructions IF an instruction applies only under a condition, THEN state the condition before the imperative ELSE give the action directly. Context default
4. SYN-006 One principal action per procedural step IF a step contains multiple independently verifiable actions, THEN split them into ordered steps ELSE retain a tightly coupled action. Context default
5. 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
6. 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
7. STR-016 Provide a long-document summary IF a document is long, high-stakes, or cognitively dense, THEN add an accurate summary and navigation ELSE retain. Context default
8. CLR-001 Prefer the precise familiar word IF two words are equally accurate AND one is more familiar to the audience, THEN use the familiar word ELSE keep the precision-bearing term. Context default
9. CLR-009 State implied steps for novice readers IF success requires an unstated inference that a novice may not make, THEN state the step or prerequisite ELSE retain expert compression. Context default
10. CLR-010 Prefer positive formulation IF a negative construction can be stated positively with the same meaning and no safety loss, THEN use the positive form ELSE retain necessary prohibitions. Heuristic
11. 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
12. CLR-019 Prefer literal language in critical content IF content is safety-critical, translated, or for a broad cognitive-accessibility audience, THEN replace figurative idiom with literal language ELSE retain purposeful imagery. Context default
13. ACC-001 Use clear words for the actual audience IF a simpler word is equally accurate, respectful, and familiar, THEN use it ELSE retain the necessary precise term with support. Context default
14. ACC-002 Simple tense and voice when possible IF present active construction expresses the real time and actor, THEN prefer it ELSE use the tense and voice accuracy requires. Context default
15. ACC-003 No nested double negatives IF a double negative or negative inside another condition obscures polarity, THEN rewrite with one explicit positive or negative operation ELSE retain a necessary legal distinction with explanation. Hard constraint
16. ACC-004 Separate each instruction IF multiple actions appear in one block and can be completed separately, THEN make each a separate step ELSE retain a single compound action. Context default
17. ACC-005 Explain implied meaning when consequential IF humor, irony, metaphor, convention, or context carries a consequential instruction or conclusion, THEN state the literal meaning too ELSE retain. Hard constraint
18. ACC-010 Error message states problem and recovery IF an error message appears, THEN state what happened, what remains safe or changed, and the next corrective action in non-blaming language ELSE retain. Hard constraint
19. ACC-012 Support orientation in long processes IF a process has many steps, branches, or waits, THEN show current position, total or remaining stages, completion state, and safe exit ELSE retain. Context default
20. ACC-015 Test with representative disabled users IF content is consequential or broadly used, THEN combine standards checks with representative user testing and track barriers ELSE perform proportionate review. Context default