Display vs You exposed the program

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Display

Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb

You exposed the program

Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Display
 DisplayYou exposed the program
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈspleɪ/","/dɪˈspleɪz/","/dɪˈspleɪd/","/dɪˈspleɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈspleɪ/","/dɪˈspleɪz/","/dɪˈspleɪd/","/dɪˈspleɪɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //ɪkˈspəʊzd//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈspoʊzd//
MeaningTo show something so that people can see it.You showed or made something visible.
ExamplePlease display the results on the screen for everyone to see.You exposed the program's flaws during the meeting.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsclearly, prominently, proudly, toexpose a secret, expose a flaw, expose a truth, expose an issue, expose a problem
Antonymsconceal, hide, obscure-
Common mistakesSaying 'displayed for me' instead of 'displayed to me'., Using 'display' as a noun when a verb is required., Confused with 'exhibit' which has a more formal tone.Confused with 'disclosed' - both involve revealing, but 'disclosed' often implies a secret., Using 'expose' incorrectly as a synonym for 'show' - 'exposed' suggests something was hidden before.
Usage notesUse 'display' in contexts involving showing information or items. It's appropriate for both written and spoken communication. Avoid in very informal situations where simpler words like 'show' may be preferred.Use 'exposed' when revealing or showing something that was hidden. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it for trivial matters.

See it in real clips

You exposed the program

Frequently asked questions: Display vs You exposed the program

What's the difference between Display and You exposed the program?

Display: To show something so that people can see it. You exposed the program: You showed or made something visible.

Which is more common: Display and You exposed the program?

Display is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Display: Please display the results on the screen for everyone to see. You exposed the program: You exposed the program's flaws during the meeting.

Can I use Display and You exposed the program interchangeably?

Not always. Display and You exposed the program are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons