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Tue 2 May, 2017 09:53 pm
Hello,
I'm writing a troubleshooting article for a new product.
Would it be more appropriate to say: "if the bottle isn't opening" or "if the bottle doesn't open"?
I understand they have a slightly different meaning, but I would like to know which one would sound more natural. I'm in the U.S. if that makes any difference.
Thank you in advance!
@kreozZ,
It might depend on the exact situation. If a person tries to open the bottle, you would probably say "The bottle doesn't (or won't) open". If it's part of an industrial situation in which a bottle routinely opens and closes, it would probably be better to say "The bottle isn't opening".
@roger,
Thank you. In my situation, a bottle (rather, a jar) contains a sticky substance that sometimes may make it harder to open it. The jar is supposed to be opened and closed every time a person needs to get the substance out.
Would it then be better to say "The bottle/jar isn't opening"?
I would probably prefer to be more precise and say "If the lid is difficult to remove", or "if the lid is difficult to unscrew" or something like that.
@centrox,
Bingo! This phrase is what I was looking for.
Thank you all for your responses!
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