English question

Post by **jtaylor** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:14 am

Can you say
"Phil is an initiative person",
in the same way as
"Phil is an innovative person"

"Phil initiates"
"Phil innovates"

Thoughts?

J

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:08 am

I can say both sentences, though I wouldn't try 'em after a few pints !

marty · Post by **marty** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:04 pm

It depends what you're trying to say. In the second sentence 'innovative' is used as an adjective wherease most people consider 'initiative' to be solely a noun rather than an adjective. I'd therefore take your first sentence to mean Phil likes initiative - it doesn't necessarily convey your intended meaning that he demonstrates initiative himself. To me it reads like 'Phil is a real-ale person' or 'Phil is a cricket person'. It seems to have a more passive slant to it and in my view is ambiguous as to whether Phil initiates or is simply an admirer of initiative.

Right, I'll shut up now.

nastymum · Post by **nastymum** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:37 pm

Anything goes.Apparently ( according to the news) this morning ,the police 'forensicated ' a crime scene. Jeepers.

midget · Post by **midget** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:43 pm

nastymum wrote:Anything goes.Apparently ( according to the news) this morning ,the police 'forensicated ' a crime scene. Jeepers.

Whoever thought up that one should be shot!

Post by **jtaylor** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:32 pm

Thanks, some interesting replies!

One of staff said that we should "tangibleise" something today.
And Peter Jones, on the Dragons' Den this evening, said "take a new tact".....crikey, and he thinks he's a clever bloke!

J

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