Active matrix liquid crystal display having electric fields parallel to substrates

An active matrix liquid crystal display comprising:

• an array substrate having a plurality of parallel signal wirings and a plurality of parallel scanning wirings which are arranged to form a matrix of pixels, at least one switching device provided at a crossing point of the signal wiring and the scanning wiring in each pixel, a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the switching device, and a plurality of common electrodes;
• an opposing substrate disposed for facing the array substrate;
• a liquid crystal layer disposed between the array substrate and the opposing substrate;
• and
• two polarizing plates disposed outside the array substrate and the opposing substrate;
• wherein
• each pixel defined by two adjoining signal wiring and two adjoining scanning wiring is divided into a plurality of display regions which are respectively defined by adjoining common electrode and pixel electrode;
• wherein the pixel electrodes and the common electrodes are substantially parallel to each other and respectively have inclined portions that are not parallel to the signal wirings and the scanning wirings, and
• the display regions include at least a group of first display regions where the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is different from that in another group of second display regions when electric fields which are substantially parallel to the array substrate and the opposing substrate are applied.