initiatives

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

initiatives — 名詞

  • initiativessingular
  • initiativesingular
  • initiativesesplural

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

1.名詞C1
釋義

倡議；措施

為解決問題而推動的新作法

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.

橋梁檢查報告出爐後，市長宣布了三項安全倡議。

launch initiatives after a problem is found

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

我們學校資助學生主導的措施，以減少餐廳的食物浪費。

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

主動性

不等指示就主動判斷行動的能力

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.

Owen 展現了主動性，在天花板塌下來前就先打電話找水電工。

show initiative

The manager values initiative more than excuses when problems appear.

問題一出現，經理看重的是主動性，不是藉口。

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

自行決定

表示未經要求而自己決定行動

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.

漏水又出現後，Élise 自行決定聯絡房東。

on her own initiative

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

那位護士自行決定留下加班，安撫孩子的父母。

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

主動權

率先掌控局勢的優勢

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.

中場休息後，我們球隊掌握了主動權，從兩翼發動攻勢。

take the initiative

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

Renata 揭露預算缺口後，反對派失去了主動權。

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

起始步驟

為帶動後續行動而先走的一步

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.

這項試辦導師計畫是更大改革中的第一個起始步驟。

the first initiative in + noun phrase

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

設立村裡的診所，是改變當地生活的一個起始步驟。

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.