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proactive

barbara255115

Member
Mandarin
Can the word "proactive" be use to describe a person's personal quality?
In what sense do you mean, Barabara? Please provide some context, even if it's an imaginary situation.
Can I say "Vivian is very proactive in helping ESL students?"
Can I say "Vivian is very proactive in helping ESL students?"

You can say it, but I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. Would you kindly explain it in a bit more detail.

Thanks.

Abenr
Last edited:
Can I say "Vivian is very proactive in helping ESL students?"

I would understand this to mean that Vivian doesn't wait for her students to come to her with their problems, but tries to anticipate them and provide assistance accordingly. Is this more or less what you want to say?
To expand Alisterio's point, think of it in contrast to reactive, which in this context means that she waits until her students raise an issue before setting out to deal with it.
Alisterio, that is what I meant, but is that how you normally use the word "proactive"? Can I say "Tom proactively answered the teacher's question."
Alisterio, that is what I meant, but is that how you normally use the word "proactive"? Can I say "Tom proactively answered the teacher's question."
I think that would be strange, Barbara. The words reactive and proactive are more usually applied to the teacher than to the pupil.
Alisterio, that is what I meant, but is that how you normally use the word "proactive"? Can I say "Tom proactively answered the teacher's question."

Yes, I would agree with Thomas on this. To answer a question proactively would mean something like answering before the question is asked, which obviously doesn't make much sense (unless you're talking about anticipating or second-guessing the questioner, in which case either of those verbs would be more appropriate).
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