active vs. passive voice

Subject: active vs. passive voice
From: Michelle Vina-Baltsas <Michelle_Vina-Baltsas -at- datascope -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:51:58 -0400

I've read many threads on this listserv related to the use of "appears"
vs. "displays" or "is displayed". During a meeting yesterday, with my
fellow tech writers, we had a heated discussion about whether we should
use "is displayed" or "displays" when writing a result (For example,
"Select the XYZ button. The EXY dialog box is displayed.") One writer
insisted that the use of "is displayed" should not be used because it is
in the passive voice. To be honest, my head was spinning so quickly that I
decided to refrain from offering my opinion. I did tell them I'd
investigate though.

Is the use of "is displayed" passive voice?

Thank you,
Michelle


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