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.
Here's what The Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Communications says
about the use of display vs. appears.
display (v, n)
Use as a transitive verb only, as in "the screen displays the program." For
an intransitive verb, use appears, as in "the dialog box appears." Avoid
passive constructions such as "the dialog box is displayed" if possible.
Use display as a noun to refer generically to the visual output device and
its technology, such as a CRT-based display, a flat-panel display, and so
on. Use screen to refer to the graphic portion of a monitor.
appears
Use appears as an intransitive verb; use displays as a transitive verb. If
necessary in context, you can use the passive is displayed.
Correct
If you try to quit the program without saving the file, a message appears.
The screen displays a message if you don't log on accurately.
A message is displayed if you don't log on accurately.
_________________________________________________
Christine Champeaux
Technical Writer
AIFP
15575 SW Sequoia Parkway, Suite 180
Portland, OR 97224
phone 503-968-9661 fax 503-968-9601
-----Original Message-----
From: Emma Heftman [SMTP:emma -at- AMIL -dot- CO -dot- IL]
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 1997 7:01 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Display/Appear
Can some-one please send me the message on when it's best to use appear,
and
when to use display. Some-one, I believe, said that they disapproved of
"is displayed", but some-one else added that "appears" sounds like magic.
I'm trying to describe a certain area of a screen.
Should it be:
"The line of information that is displayed at the top of the screen refers
to..
or
"The line of information that appears ..."
or
" The Device Identity screen displays a line of information at the top of
the
screen, which refers..."
Any suggestions from the experts (please don't refer to the part that says
the line
of info, I justused it to simplify the topic).
Thanks
Emma
emma -at- amil -dot- co -dot- il
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
