TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Invoke vs. Use From:"Johns, David" <14615johns -at- KCPBLDG05 -dot- BV -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 14 Nov 1994 15:41:00 CST
In the manuals I write for Windows-based programs, I USE these verbs to
describe the action of bringing a screen or dialog box to the monitor:
invoke, bring up, or summon. I do not use "use" because the user would
have a hard time getting used to this use of "use." However, I would like
to start USING some verbs other than the three mentioned to refer to the
process of getting something onto the screen--for the sake of variety. Any
ideas?