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Subject:Re: What does a window do??? From:Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- PETVALU -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 15 Jul 1999 10:08:26 -0400
I can't quote any sources, but I agree with you Nancy. Maybe the other tech
writer missed something during her course :-).
I always try to use both active voice and the proper verb.
e.g..
The ABC Window displays the results of your query, or
The ABC Window appears.
I also try to avoid using "appears" too often as well, as IMO it can be
nauseating. I tend to use it most to describe messages that appear, and I
attempt to describe the action of a window in detail, with content, etc.
Hope that makes sense.
Suzette Seveny
Markham, Ontario, Canada
sseveny -at- petvalu -dot- com or suzette -at- yesic -dot- com
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DISCLAIMER:
Any opinions expressed are MY opinions.
Feel free to have your own.
Let's agree to disagree
But Please - Don't Flame Me.
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On Wednesday, July 14, 1999 5:48 PM, Nancy Smith [SMTP:smithcds -at- ICI -dot- NET] wrote:
> Help, please!
>
> I've been doing tech writing for more than 17 years and I am one who cringes
> when I read "The ABC Window displays." I had hoped it was a matter of
> concientious writers' trying too hard to stay in active voice -- even to the
> point of using a transitive verb incorrectly as an intransitive verb!
>
> On the other hand, I don't want to be one of those dyed-in-the-wool purists
> who cannot change with the times -- when that is appropriate.
>
> When I asked one technical writer where she learned to say that, she thought
> she had learned it in a course at a big university.
>
> So, folks -- what's the latest, greatest, most appropriate expression to use
> in a procedure to indicate that the software is responding to the user
> action and "Behold -- The window --- !" (does what???)
>
> And, can you point me to an authoritative source for whatever your answer
> is?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Nancy Smith
>
>
> From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000==
