initiative

initiative — 名詞

1. a carefully planned set of actions designed to bring about a particular improvem

1.名詞B2
釋義

新方案

為達成目標或解決問題提出的計劃

a carefully planned set of actions designed to bring about a particular improvement or to deal with a specific issue, usually launched by a group, organisation, or government

例句

The city government launched a new initiative to plant native trees in every public park.

市政府推出了一項新方案，計劃在全市每個公園種植原生樹種。

launch + initiative + to-infinitive for purpose

Xiu's initiative to reduce single-use plastic in her office saved over a thousand cups in three months.

Xiu 的減塑方案讓辦公室在三個月內減少了一千多個一次性杯子。

[person]'s initiative to [verb phrase] + result

同義詞
  • scheme

    more common in British English; can suggest a less formal or slightly underhand plan

  • project

    more concrete, with defined deliverables and a clear end date

  • programme

    suggests a longer-running series of coordinated activities

  • plan

    the broadest term; covers any intended course of action

文法句型

initiative + to-infinitive

launch/propose/join + initiative

用法筆記

Often used with verbs like launch, introduce, propose, or join. The subject is typically a government, institution, company, or organised group.

常見錯誤

❌The government introduced a technological initiative' (when referring to a new invention).
✅The government introduced a technological innovation.
💡'initiative' refers to a plan or process, not the product of invention itself.

2. the personal quality of being able to judge what needs to be done and to begin d

2.名詞B2
釋義

主動性

不需指示便能自行判斷行動的能力

the personal quality of being able to judge what needs to be done and to begin doing it without waiting for instructions or encouragement from others

例句

Roya showed remarkable initiative by reorganising the filing system when nobody else would.

Roya 展現了很強的主動性，在沒人願意處理的情況下主動重新整理了檔案系統。

show initiative + by [verb-ing]

The company looks for graduates who can use their initiative to solve problems without supervision.

這家公司尋找能夠運用主動性在無監督下解決問題的畢業生。

use [possessive] initiative + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • enterprise

    slightly more formal; often appears in the phrase 'spirit of enterprise'

  • resourcefulness

    emphasises clever problem-solving with limited means

  • self-reliance

    focuses on independence rather than first action

  • drive

    more informal; emphasises energy and determination

反義詞
  • passivity

    waiting for others to act rather than acting oneself

  • apathy

    lack of interest or concern, the opposite of energetic initiative

文法句型

show/display/demonstrate + initiative

use + possessive + initiative

take + the + initiative + to-infinitive

用法筆記

In this sense, initiative is uncountable. You cannot say 'initiatives' or 'an initiative' when you mean personal drive. The phrase 'take the initiative' (with definite article) is a fixed collocation meaning to act first.

常見錯誤

❌She shows great initiatives in her work.
✅She shows great initiative in her work.
💡When referring to personal ability, initiative is uncountable and takes no plural -s.
❌He took an initiative to fix the problem.
✅He took the initiative to fix the problem.
💡The fixed phrase uses the definite article 'the', not 'a'/'an'.

3. done because you personally chose to act, not because someone asked, ordered, or

3.名詞B2
釋義

自發

出於自願而非奉命行事

done because you personally chose to act, not because someone asked, ordered, or assigned you — used in the fixed phrase 'on one's own initiative'

例句

Henrik organised the charity bake sale on his own initiative, without any direction from the principal.

Henrik 出於自發舉辦了慈善烘焙義賣，完全沒有任何來自校長的指示。

on [possessive] own initiative — independent action

The security guard called the fire department on his own initiative after noticing smoke near the basement.

警衛聞到地下室有煙味後，出於自發打電話叫了消防隊。

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

on + possessive + own + initiative

用法筆記

This sense always appears within the fixed phrase 'on one's own initiative'. The possessive pronoun (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) must match the subject. Distinguish from sense 2: 'showed initiative' describes a personal quality, while 'on his own initiative' describes the manner in which a specific action was carried out.

常見錯誤

❌He did it on his initiative.
✅He did it on his own initiative.
💡The word 'own' is required in the fixed phrase.

4. the position of acting first in a competitive situation, which gives the acting

4.名詞C1
釋義

先機

在競爭中率先行動取得的優勢

the position of acting first in a competitive situation, which gives the acting person or side a better chance of succeeding than those who wait and respond later

例句

By launching ahead of schedule, the company seized the initiative in the electric car market.

這家公司提前上市，在電動車市場中搶得了先機。

seize the initiative — competitive context

The home team took the initiative early in the match and scored within the first five minutes.

主隊在比賽一開始就掌握了先機，前五分鐘內便取得進球。

take the initiative — sports context

同義詞
  • advantage

    broader term; the initiative is a specific type of advantage gained by acting first

  • upper hand

    informal; suggests dominance in a contest

  • lead

    focuses on being ahead rather than dictating the pace

反義詞
  • disadvantage

    the general opposite of having any advantage at all

文法句型

take/seize/gain/lose/hold + the + initiative

用法筆記

Common in business strategy, sports commentary, and military discussion. The initiative in this sense belongs to whoever is dictating the direction of events rather than merely responding. Frequently takes the verbs take, seize, gain, lose, hold, or wrest.

常見錯誤

❌Our team took an initiative in the second half.
✅Our team took the initiative in the second half.
💡The definite article 'the' is required; 'initiative' in this sense is not countable.

initiative — 形容詞