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Post by Geoff on May 6, 2011 4:00:45 GMT
I heard this on the morning news: It is incumbent on the government to (take some course of action). I can only find incumbent defined as either a noun or an adjective, but in the above, it seems to be used as a verb; or is it? Is it an adjective qualifying 'It'? Is incumbent used correctly in the quoted statement? |
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Post by Verbivore on May 6, 2011 4:59:42 GMT
I heard this on the morning news: It is incumbent on the government to (take some course of action). I can only find incumbent defined as either a noun or an adjective, but in the above, it seems to be used as a verb; or is it? Is it an adjective qualifying 'It'? Is incumbent used correctly in the quoted statement? Geoff: I believe it is used correctly, as an adjective qualifying it, in your quotation. "It is [resting as a duty / lying on / pressing on] on the government to (take some course of action)". |
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Post by Pete on May 6, 2011 7:27:34 GMT
I heard this on the morning news: It is incumbent on the government to (take some course of action). I can only find incumbent defined as either a noun or an adjective, but in the above, it seems to be used as a verb; or is it? Is it an adjective qualifying 'It'? Is incumbent used correctly in the quoted statement? Geoff: I believe it is used correctly, as an adjective qualifying it, in your quotation. "It is [resting as a duty / lying on / pressing on] on the government to (take some course of action)". I agree. Indeed, that's how I first came across the word incumbent. |
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Post by Geoff on May 7, 2011 4:15:42 GMT
The more I think about it, the more I'm sure I've encountered the usage before. For some reason it struck me as odd when I heard it this time.
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Post by Pete on May 7, 2011 23:43:42 GMT
The more I think about it, the more I'm sure I've encountered the usage before. For some reason it struck me as odd when I heard it this time. I would certainly rely on Verbivore's view, as he is one of our incumbent sages.  |
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Post by Twoddle on May 8, 2011 9:53:12 GMT
The more I think about it, the more I'm sure I've encountered the usage before. For some reason it struck me as odd when I heard it this time. I would certainly rely on Verbivore's view, as he is one of our incumbent sages. We should be grateful to number among us a sage who knows his onions. |
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Post by Pete on May 8, 2011 22:08:35 GMT
I would certainly rely on Verbivore's view, as he is one of our incumbent sages. We should be grateful to number among us a sage who knows his onions. A rocket scientist, perhaps? Someone who can cut the mustard and keep ignorance at bay? That would certainly curry f(l)avour with me. |
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Post by Verbivore on May 9, 2011 2:16:35 GMT
;D ;D All this chatter about 'erbs and spices brings to mind a pattern in my former relationships: I married a Rosemary; almost married a Marjolaine (French 'Marjoram'); had a partner called Herb(ert) and another called Basil. If variety is the spice of life, my life resembles a garam masala (complex warm mix) -- and certainly hasn't been chilli. (And I live on curries.)
Further, I've recently had my first success at getting turmeric to grow.
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