forcible is an adjective, can it be used this way?

Forums: English, Esl, Grammar
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Context:

For Realists (sometimes termed ‘structural Realists’ or ‘Neorealists’, as opposed to the earlier ‘classical Realists’) the international system is defined by anarchy—the absence of a central authority (Waltz). States are sovereign and thus autonomous of each other; no inherent structure or society can emerge or even exist to order relations between them. They are bound only by forcible → coercion or their own → consent.

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Type: Question • Score: 4 • Views: 819 • Replies: 12

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forcible (adjective) -- bla bla bla -- consent (noun)

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@contrex,

contrex wrote:

forcible (adjective) -- bla bla bla -- consent (noun)

In the usage aboer written by you, Contrex, is understandable. But the original context used two arrows, which caused confusion.

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@oristarA,

The arrows should not be there. They are not part of normal punctuation.

Simple dashes would do, but the sentence is rather awkward, and could have been better written.

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@oristarA,

What, It doesn't make sense with dashes in place of the arrows.

If you take away the arrows, it is "They are bound only by forcible coercion or their own consent." In this case the adjective "forcible" describes coercion (not consent. Of course "forcible coercion" is redundant (since coercion is always forcible). You should just get rid of forcible.

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@maxdancona,

maxdancona wrote:

Of course "forcible coercion" is redundant (since coercion is always forcible). You should just get rid of forcible.

Is it though? Using coercion means putting someone or an institution under pressure, it doesn't automatically suggest using force. Using Iran as an example, sanctions are being used to coerce the regime into abandoning it's nuclear programme. Force is the next step. From the online dictionary.

Quote:

co·erce (k-ûrs)
tr.v. co·erced, co·erc·ing, co·erc·es
1. To force to act or think in a certain way by use of pressure, threats, or intimidation; compel.
2. To dominate, restrain, or control forcibly: coerced the strikers into compliance. See Synonyms at force.
3. To bring about by force or threat: efforts to coerce agreement.

I accept we're arguing over nuance here.

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Well guys, are you aware that you are challenging the grammar of a professor in Princeton University?

The full context is here:

http://www.princeton.edu/~slaughtr/articles.html
International Relations, Principal Theories, MAX PLANCK ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW (2011).
It needs to be downloaded.

2 Replies

@oristarA,

He's not a professor of English though.

1 Reply

@izzythepush,

izzythepush wrote:

He's not a professor of English though.

Yeah. English is subtle enough to make everyone make mistakes. Very Happy

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@oristarA,

oristarA wrote:

Well guys, are you aware that you are challenging the grammar of a professor in Princeton University?

Don't assume that all professors use English perfectly!

I know a lot of professors, and they don't.

1 Reply

@sozobe,

Never assume that professors of English know anything about English grammar. They are, in large measure, the ones responsible for perpetuating all the nonsensical prescriptions.

Quote:

I know a lot of professors, and they don't.

In a study done by the linguist William Labov, the most grammatical errors occurred not in the speech of common people but in the speech of those from academia.

There are many here at A2K who have studied grammar in college and yet the simplest grammar issues leave them befuddled.

2 Replies

@JTT,

Many folks, especially Americans, have a great deal of trouble acknowledging the truth, even when the facts are staring them full in the face.

0 Replies

@JTT,

JTT wrote:

Never assume that professors of English know anything about English grammar. They are, in large measure, the ones responsible for perpetuating all the nonsensical prescriptions.

Quote:
I know a lot of professors, and they don't.

In a study done by the linguist William Labov, the most grammatical errors occurred not in the speech of common people but in the speech of those from academia.

There are many here at A2K who have studied grammar in college and yet the simplest grammar issues leave them befuddled.

　　　　The study rocks, JTT.
If convenient, please post the link to the article by him (William Labov).

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forcible is an adjective, can it be used this way?

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