{"id":"CLR-010","name":"Prefer positive formulation","domain":"clarity","layer":"sentence","strength":"heuristic","human_logic":"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.","when":{"all":[{"path":"sentence.negative_form","operator":"eq","value":true},{"path":"sentence.positive_equivalent_same_meaning","operator":"eq","value":true},{"path":"sentence.prohibition_needed","operator":"eq","value":false}]},"then":[{"action":"replace","target":"sentence.polarity","value":"positive_equivalent"}],"else":[{"action":"retain","target":"current_text","reason":"No triggering condition is present."}],"unless":[],"because":"Positive statements often reduce mental reversal.","diagnostics":[],"examples":{},"source_ids":["BK-001","WEB-002","WEB-006"],"laka":{"smallest_sufficient_intervention":true,"primary_axes":["scope","depth","magnitude","reversibility"]},"requires_facts":["sentence.negative_form","sentence.positive_equivalent_same_meaning","sentence.prohibition_needed"],"tests":[],"sources":[{"id":"BK-001","title":"The Elements of Style","creator":"William Strunk Jr.; E. B. White","domain":"grammar_style","type":"Book","note":"Conciseness, conventional usage, and composition principles.","url":null},{"id":"WEB-002","title":"Principles of plain language","creator":"Digital.gov / U.S. General Services Administration","domain":"plain_language","type":"Government guidance","note":"Design content so the intended audience can find, understand, and use it.","url":"https://www.plainlanguage.gov/"},{"id":"WEB-006","title":"Making Content Usable for People with Cognitive and Learning Disabilities","creator":"W3C","domain":"cognitive_accessibility","type":"W3C Working Group Note","note":"Clear words, simple voice and tense, explicit instructions, and supportive structure.","url":"https://www.w3.org/TR/coga-usable/"}],"defined_in":{"file":"11-clarity-style-rules.json","title":"Clarity, Precision, and Plain-Language Rules","slug":"clarity-style-rules"}}