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Subject:Re: Grammar Question From:KnoxML1 <KnoxML1 -at- TEOMAIL -dot- JHUAPL -dot- EDU> Date:Mon, 28 Aug 1995 11:25:38 EST
Misti writes:
>OK, folks, this one is pretty basic. We have a running debate here about
>verbs that need an object, and we thought maybe you could help.
>1) what are they called?
Transitive verbs. (_vt_ in Webster's Collegiate, 10the ed., before the
definition, means "verb, transitive.")
>2) do "display" and "populate" fall into that category?
Yes. Both are transitive verbs, which means they require a direct object.
Display can be intransitive (_vi_ in the stuff after the word entry
& before the definition) when it means to show off (webster's says this
use is obsolete) or when it means to make a breeding display ("the
peackocks displayed and copulated").
>This is probably of little or no interest to most, so please send
>responses to ncr02!mdelaney -at- attmail -dot- com -dot-
Actually, I see these words incorrectly used in documentation often
enough that it seems like it *ought* to interest others on the list,
even if it doesn't so I've posted this to the list. ;-)
