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.
> Which is the correct, appears or displays? Is it a matter of preference or
> is one grammatically correct?
ARGH!!!!!!!! This is one of my pet peeves. "Appears" is a non-transitive
verb; it does not require an object. "Displays" is a transitive verb, and
requires an object. Try an example: "when the curtain parts, the stage
appears." vs. "when the curtain parts, the stage displays." Most people,
faced with the latter choice, will ask "Displays what?" And THAT, my friend,
is the mark of a transitive verb.
Elna Tymes
Los Trancos Systems
(and ex-English teacher)
