| name | english-writing |
| description | English writing rules for generated content and code. Trigger: When generating, editing, or reviewing content, code, documentation, or prompts. |
| license | Apache 2.0 |
| metadata | {"version":"1.0","type":"behavioral"} |
English Writing
Enforces clear, professional English in all generated content (code, docs, prompts). Ensures American spelling, ASCII characters, clarity, and technical accuracy.
When to Use
- When generating or editing code, documentation, prompts, or reference material
- When reviewing or validating any written output
Don't use when:
- Translating to other languages (unless explicitly requested)
Critical Patterns
✅ REQUIRED: All content in English (American spelling)
All generated code, documentation, comments, and prompt content must be written in English, using American spelling.
✅ REQUIRED: ASCII apostrophes and hyphens
Use only ASCII apostrophes (') and hyphens (-) in all written content, code, and documentation.
# CORRECT
Don't use smart quotes or typographic dashes -- use ' and - only.
# WRONG
Don’t use “smart quotes” or – en dashes.
✅ REQUIRED: Consistent punctuation, spacing, and capitalization
Ensure all content uses standard punctuation, single spaces after periods, and consistent capitalization for headings, lists, and code comments.
# CORRECT
// Fetch user data.
## Usage
# WRONG
// fetch user Data .
## usage
✅ REQUIRED: Clear, direct language
Use clear, direct, and unambiguous language for both AI and human readers. Avoid filler, redundancy, and vague statements.
# CORRECT
Return an error if the file is missing.
# WRONG
It might be a good idea to return an error if the file is missing.
✅ REQUIRED: Active voice
Use active voice for clarity and directness.
# CORRECT
Use useState for local state.
# WRONG
useState should be used for local state.
✅ REQUIRED: Imperative mood
Write instructions in imperative mood.
# CORRECT
Add the dependency to package.json.
# WRONG
You should add the dependency to package.json.
✅ REQUIRED: No hedging
Avoid hedging language ("consider", "might", "could").
# CORRECT
Use strict typing for all TypeScript files.
# WRONG
Consider using strict typing for TypeScript files.
✅ REQUIRED: Minimal direct address
Avoid unnecessary use of "you"; focus on direct, actionable statements.
Decision Tree
Is the content, code, documentation, or prompt in English (American spelling)? → Proceed
Otherwise → Rewrite in English (American spelling)
Are only ASCII apostrophes and hyphens used? → Proceed
Otherwise → Replace with ASCII characters
Is punctuation, spacing, and capitalization consistent? → Proceed
Otherwise → Fix formatting
Is the language clear and direct? → Proceed
Otherwise → Rewrite for clarity
Is the sentence in active voice? → Proceed
Otherwise → Rewrite in active voice
Is the instruction in imperative mood? → Proceed
Otherwise → Rewrite in imperative mood
Is there hedging language? → Remove hedging
Is there unnecessary direct address? → Remove or rephrase
Otherwise → Content is compliant
Conventions
These rules apply to all generated code, documentation, comments, and prompt content. They do not apply to conversational responses in chat or user-facing explanations unless those are part of generated documentation or code comments.
Example
# CORRECT
Add the dependency to package.json.
# WRONG
You should add the dependency to package.json.
Edge Cases
- If a code example requires a non-English string (e.g., for i18n), clearly comment the exception.
Resources
