Re: "display" -- not just a transitive verb any more

[doug montalbano <doug_montalbano -at- CC -dot- CHIRON -dot- COM>]

Kelly K. Hoffman, in discussing the passive voice (
 >Several folks have suggested "the <whatever> window displays" as an
 >active-voice alternative to "the <whatever> window is displayed."

) points out that
 >The only non-transitive form of display as a verb that I know about is
 >"to make a breeding display <penguins ~ed and copulated>" (from Mirriam
 >Webster's Collegiate, 10th ed).
 >So, what *is* the gestation period for all these <whatever> windows,
 >anyway?  :-)

Yes.  As a verb, "display" does require an object, and if you try "displays
itself" then the absurdities begin to pile up (software as flashers?) ....

Not that it can't be used, but not non-transitively, please.

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Doug Montalbano          Doug_Montalbano -at- cc -dot- chiron -dot- com
Technical Writer
Chiron Corporation       Disclaimer:  I claim dis, not dem.
510/601-2862 (voice/tty)

If anybody wanted to tell me something, they'd have to write it on a piece of
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while, and then I'd be through with having conversations for the rest of my
life.           --The Catcher in the Rye
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