Tomasz Klimkiewicz
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2004
- Member Type
- Other
- Native Language
- Polish
- Home Country
- Poland
- Current Location
- Poland
Hello everybody,
I've noticed in many texts of both British and American origin that in certain contexts noun forms are used as attributives rather than corresponding adjectives. Perhaps some examples will illustrate the problem better:
Noun: optimum, precision
Adjective: optimal, precise
Examples:
Finally we have arrived at an optimal solution (adjective, pretty obvious).
The production is now running at an optimum rate of .... pcs. a day. (IMO, sounds better than optimal)
A precise answer will be impossible without additional data. (adjective)
The new product requires precision tooling. (a noun form)
I am posting this question, first of all, to obtain confirmation whether my observations are correct and, secondly, to learn if there is a more general rule governing the use of noun and adjective type attributives.
Regards to all, Tee Kay.
I've noticed in many texts of both British and American origin that in certain contexts noun forms are used as attributives rather than corresponding adjectives. Perhaps some examples will illustrate the problem better:
Noun: optimum, precision
Adjective: optimal, precise
Examples:
Finally we have arrived at an optimal solution (adjective, pretty obvious).
The production is now running at an optimum rate of .... pcs. a day. (IMO, sounds better than optimal)
A precise answer will be impossible without additional data. (adjective)
The new product requires precision tooling. (a noun form)
I am posting this question, first of all, to obtain confirmation whether my observations are correct and, secondly, to learn if there is a more general rule governing the use of noun and adjective type attributives.
Regards to all, Tee Kay.