(a) In this subchapter, unless the context requires otherwise:   (1) Words imparting the singular include the plural;   (2) Words imparting the plural include the singular; and   (3) Words imparting the masculine gender include the feminine;

(b) In this subchapter, the word:   (1) "Shall" is used in an imperative sense;   (2) "Must" is used in an imperative sense;   (3) "Should" is used in a recommendatory sense;   (4) "May" is used in a permissive sense to state authority or permission to do the act described, and the words "no person may * * *" or "a person may not * * *" means that no person is required, authorized, or permitted to do the act described; and   (5) "Includes" is used as a word of inclusion not limitation.

[Amdt. 171-32, 41 FR 15996, Apr. 15, 1976, as amended by Amdt. 171-32A, 41 FR 40630, Sept. 20, 1976; Amdt. 171-121, 58 FR 51528, Oct. 1, 1993; 75 FR 60338, Sept. 30, 2010]