Collocations for initiative - noun
1. new plan
ADJ.
fresh, new
fresh initiatives to find a peaceful end to the conflict
fresh initiatives to find a peaceful end to the conflict
pioneering
pioneering initiatives in bioengineering
pioneering initiatives in bioengineering
current, latest, recent | important, major | welcome | successful | practical | exciting | private | co-operative, joint | international, local, national, regional | government | business, diplomatic, economic, education/educational, environmental, marketing, peace, policy, political, research, training
QUANT.
range, series
VERB + INITIATIVE
undertake
The research initiative is being undertaken by a group of environmentalists.
The research initiative is being undertaken by a group of environmentalists.
plan | develop | announce | introduce, launch, set up, start
The government has launched a new policy initiative.
The government has launched a new policy initiative.
be/become involved in
Ten schools have been involved in the initiative.
Ten schools have been involved in the initiative.
lead | approve | reject
The peace initiative was rejected out of hand.
The peace initiative was rejected out of hand.
sponsor
a peace initiative sponsored by the Organization of African Unity
a peace initiative sponsored by the Organization of African Unity
endorse, support
The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger.
The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger.
welcome
We welcome the government''s initiative to help the homeless.
We welcome the government''s initiative to help the homeless.
praise | encourage
INITIATIVE + VERB
be aimed at sth, be designed to
a local initiative aimed at economic regeneration an initiative designed to promote collaborative research
a local initiative aimed at economic regeneration an initiative designed to promote collaborative research
involve sth, relate to sth | founder
The initiative foundered because there was no market interest in redevelopment.
The initiative foundered because there was no market interest in redevelopment.
PREP.
~ against
a new initiative against car theft
a new initiative against car theft
~ by
the latest initiative by the UN Secretary General
the latest initiative by the UN Secretary General
~ for
an initiative for peace and human rights
an initiative for peace and human rights
~ on
the government''s major new initiative on crime
the government''s major new initiative on crime
2. ability to decide/act independently
ADJ.
considerable, great, real | individual, personal, private
It is a very hierarchical company and there''s little place for individual initiative.
It is a very hierarchical company and there''s little place for individual initiative.
entrepreneurial
VERB + INITIATIVE
have
He had the initiative to ask what time the last train left.
He had the initiative to ask what time the last train left.
display, show | act/work on your own, use
He acted on his own initiative and wasn''t following orders. | Don''t ask me what you should do all the time. Use your initiative!
He acted on his own initiative and wasn''t following orders. | Don''t ask me what you should do all the time. Use your initiative!
lack | encourage, promote | stifle
Raising taxes on small businesses will stifle initiative.
Raising taxes on small businesses will stifle initiative.
PREP.
on sb''s ~
The project was set up on the initiative of a local landowner.
The project was set up on the initiative of a local landowner.
~ in
Some scientists show little initiative in applying their knowledge.
Some scientists show little initiative in applying their knowledge.
PHRASES
a lack of initiative, on your own initiative
In an unprecedented action, the army, on its own initiative, arrested seven civilians.
In an unprecedented action, the army, on its own initiative, arrested seven civilians.
3. the initiative: opportunity to gain an advantage
VERB + INITIATIVE
have, hold
After their latest setback, the rebel forces no longer hold the initiative.
After their latest setback, the rebel forces no longer hold the initiative.
gain, seize, take | regain
In the second half, Manchester United regained the initiative.
In the second half, Manchester United regained the initiative.
lose
INITIATIVE + VERB
comes from sb/sth, lie with sb
The initiative to re-open negotiations came from Moscow.
The initiative to re-open negotiations came from Moscow.
PREP.
~ in
She took the initiative in asking the board to conduct an enquiry.
She took the initiative in asking the board to conduct an enquiry.