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Current textSource: eCFR

§ 390.7 Rules of construction.

Current wording, effective June 15, 2018.

eCFR (current) ↗
What changedApril 16, 2018 wording → June 15, 2018 wording (current)+12 added−23 removedHide

Link to an amendment published at 83 FR 16226, Apr. 16, 2018.
(a) In part 325 of subchapter A and in this subchapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) Words imparting the singular include the plural;
(2) Words imparting the plural include the singular;
(3) Words imparting the present tense include the future tense.
(b) In this subchapter the word -—
(1) Officer includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office;
(2) Writing includes printing and typewriting;
(3) Shall is used in an imperative sense;
(43) Must is used in an imperative sense;
(54) Should is used in a recommendatory sense;
(65) May is used in a permissive sense; and
(76) Includes is used as a word of inclusion, not limitation.
[53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 60 FR 38744, July 28, 1995; 83 FR 16226, Apr. 16, 2018]

49 CFR § 390.7 — Rules of construction.. Text current through October 15, 2026. This wording effective June 15, 2018 to present. Source: eCFR (current), https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-390.7. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/390.7, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

(a) In part 325 of subchapter A and in this subchapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) Words imparting the singular include the plural;

(2) Words imparting the plural include the singular;

(3) Words imparting the present tense include the future tense.

(b) In this subchapter the word—

(1) Officer includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office;

(2) Shall is used in an imperative sense;

(3) Must is used in an imperative sense;

(4) Should is used in a recommendatory sense;

(5) May is used in a permissive sense; and

(6) Includes is used as a word of inclusion, not limitation.

[53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 60 FR 38744, July 28, 1995; 83 FR 16226, Apr. 16, 2018]

Amendment history

3 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1996
  1. June 15, 2018 → presenteCFR, day-precisediff vs. previousviewing
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 60 FR 38744, July 28, 1995; 83 FR 16226, Apr. 16, 2018]
  2. April 16, 2018 → June 15, 2018eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 60 FR 38744, July 28, 1995]
  3. Oct. 1, 1996 → April 16, 2018annual editions 1996–2016
    [53 FR 18052, May 19, 1988, as amended at 60 FR 38744, July 28, 1995]

A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section. Set a case date in the header to read any earlier wording.