Controlled English is a simplified form of English that uses a restricted vocabulary and a limited number of verb forms. Each word has one meaning, and synonyms are avoided. Sentences are kept as short, positive, and direct as possible. Non-English-speaking readers can be rapidly taught to understand controlled-English texts. They are not required to speak or write controlled English. An international company can produce just one controlled-English version of its technical documents for distribution worldwide, thus avoiding the need to translate into the languages of all its customers.