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Subject:Re: appears vs is displayed From:Mitch Berg <mberg -at- IS -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 25 Mar 1997 08:37:46 -0600
----------
> Robin M. Allen wrote:
> I'm in the middle of a raging debate among several tech writers about
> the use of "appears" vs "is displayed," e.g.:
>
> "Click Add and the Add Patient window is displayed."
> vs
> "Click Add and the Add Patient window appears."
>
> Even though it uses the passive voice, I personally prefer "is
> displayed." To me, "appears" sounds like it happens through magic. Any
> thoughts?
Passive must be avoided :-]
Your connotation between "Appears" and magic is unfortunate, because that's
literally what happens, from the user's POV.
I'd go with "Appears".
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