Can I use the verb manifest in the following sentence?
We would quickly learn that obstacles can manifest in any neighborhood.
Google's Definition:
display or show (a quality or feeling) by one's acts or appearance;
demonstrate."Ray manifested signs of severe depression"
synonyms: display, show, exhibit, demonstrate, betray, present,
reveal; formalevince"she manifested signs of depression"
Thanks.
Best Answer
No, it should not be used this way. As you pointed out, manifest is a verb meaning display or show. Synonyms are: display, show, exhibit, demonstrate, betray, present, reveal.
Substituting two synonyms, does your sentence make sense to you?
They do not make sense to me. The verb manifest is a transitive verb that needs a direct object. Something usually manifests something else.
Perhaps you want the word manifested. Like revealed and shown, obstacles can be manifested.
Even though this is a grammatically correct, I would not state something in this manner.