Rule 4.5: Use an article or demonstrative adjective before a noun

What a checker looks for

A clear deviation from the rule.

• Flag a noun or multi-word noun that is missing a required article or demonstrative adjective, where the omission leaves the sentence ambiguous or ungrammatical (e.g. "Turn shaft assembly" or "Data module tells you...").
• Flag a definite article placed before a noun that is immediately followed by an alphanumeric identifier (e.g. "the circuit breaker 36L7").
• In a series of items introduced by a single article, check whether the intended meaning is that a modifier or article applies to the whole series or only to the first item, and flag a mismatch between the article pattern used and the intended meaning.

What this rule does not cover

• No article is required before a noun in a general statement or abstract concept (e.g. "Solvents can cause damage to paint.", "This software increases performance.").
• Using an article before only the first noun in a long series of items, to mean the article applies to the whole series, is correct STE style, not an omission error.

How to fix it

Insert the correct article or demonstrative adjective immediately before the noun or multi-word noun. If the noun is followed by an alphanumeric identifier, remove any definite article before it.

Constraints on the fix

• Do not add an article before a noun in a general statement or abstract concept.
• When adding articles across a series of items, choose consistently between one article covering the whole series and an article before each item, based on whether a modifier is meant to apply to all items or only one.