initiatives

IPA/ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/
KK[ˌɪnˈɪʃətɪvz]IPA/ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.t̬ɪv/

initiatives — noun

  • initiativessingular
  • initiativesingular
  • initiativesesplural

1. organized actions or programmes that are started to deal with a problem or bring

1.名詞C1
釋義

organized actions or programmes that are started to deal with a problem or bring about change.

例句

The mayor announced three safety initiatives after the bridge inspection report.

launch initiatives after a problem is found

Our school funded student-led initiatives to reduce food waste in the cafeteria.

initiatives to + verb

同義詞
  • measure

    often narrower and more practical than a broad initiative

  • programme

    suggests a more structured and continuing plan

  • campaign

    emphasises public action or persuasion rather than administration

文法句型

launch initiatives

initiatives to + verb

community/environmental initiatives

用法筆記

Usually refers to organised actions from governments, companies, schools, or community groups. In the plural it often names several related projects under one larger goal.

常見錯誤

❌The company announced three new initiative last week.
✅The company announced three new initiatives last week.
💡After a number, use the plural form 'initiatives'.

2. the quality of deciding what needs to be done and acting without waiting for ins

2.名詞C1
釋義

the quality of deciding what needs to be done and acting without waiting for instructions.

例句

Owen showed initiative and called the plumber before the ceiling collapsed.

show initiative

The manager values initiative more than excuses when problems appear.

同義詞
  • resourcefulness

    stresses clever problem-solving as well as willingness to act

  • enterprise

    more formal and often linked to energetic ambition

  • self-reliance

    focuses on not depending on other people for decisions

反義詞

文法句型

show initiative

use initiative

initiative in + gerund

用法筆記

Usually singular and uncountable. Often appears after show or use, and it describes a person's working style rather than a plan or project.

常見錯誤

❌She showed many initiatives at work.
✅She showed a lot of initiative at work.
💡This sense is uncountable, so English normally uses singular 'initiative'.

3. used in the phrase 'on your own initiative' to say that you chose to act without

3.名詞C1
釋義

used in the phrase 'on your own initiative' to say that you chose to act without being asked or ordered.

例句

Élise contacted the landlord on her own initiative after the leak returned.

on her own initiative

The nurse stayed late on her own initiative to comfort the child's parents.

同義詞
  • independently

    broader; it does not always imply a self-started decision

  • voluntarily

    stresses willingness, not necessarily personal judgment

  • without prompting

    close in meaning, especially when nobody asked the person to act

文法句型

on your own initiative

on somebody's own initiative

用法筆記

This fixed phrase usually follows a verb of action such as contact, leave, or investigate. Distinguish it from sense 2: here the focus is one decision to act, not a person's general character.

常見錯誤

❌He left early on his own initiatives.
✅He left early on his own initiative.
💡This fixed phrase normally uses singular 'initiative'.

4. the chance to control what happens next in a game, argument, battle, or campaign

4.名詞C1
釋義

the chance to control what happens next in a game, argument, battle, or campaign, so others must react to you.

例句

After halftime, our team took the initiative and attacked down both wings.

take the initiative

The opposition lost the initiative when Renata exposed the budget gap.

lose the initiative

同義詞
  • advantage

    broader; it does not always involve controlling the next move

  • momentum

    stresses growing force rather than deliberate control

  • upper hand

    informal; focuses on being in a stronger position

反義詞

文法句型

take the initiative

seize the initiative

lose/regain the initiative

用法筆記

Very common with take, seize, keep, regain, and lose. It is often used in sport, politics, argument, and military reporting, where one side forces the other to react.

常見錯誤

❌Our team won an initiative in the second half.
✅Our team took the initiative in the second half.
💡English usually uses set phrases like 'take' or 'seize the initiative'.

5. the opening move that starts a longer process or makes later action possible.

5.名詞C2
釋義

the opening move that starts a longer process or makes later action possible.

例句

The pilot mentoring scheme was the first initiative in a wider reform.

the first initiative in + noun phrase

Opening the village clinic was an initiative that changed local life.

同義詞

文法句型

the first initiative in + noun phrase

an initiative that + clause

用法筆記

Often used when one action begins a longer process of change. Distinguish it from sense 1: the focus here is the opening move itself, not the full programme behind it.