Because adjectives may be used not only for the purpose of description but also to provide added emphasis. Another frequently-heard example occurs when people speaking of making 'a fresh start'.
Not sure about that. You can start something on many occasions. A 'fresh start' implies I failed at something and am going to try again. A 'fresh start' is not a tautology. Someone, who is bad mannered, wants to stop and starts to be good mannered, fails and then starts again. That's a 'fresh start'. The way a 'new initiative' is being used is seldom if ever to give emphasis. But it's an interesting point.
Because adjectives may be used not only for the purpose of description but also to provide added emphasis. Another frequently-heard example occurs when people speaking of making 'a fresh start'.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about that. You can start something on many occasions. A 'fresh start' implies I failed at something and am going to try again. A 'fresh start' is not a tautology. Someone, who is bad mannered, wants to stop and starts to be good mannered, fails and then starts again. That's a 'fresh start'.
ReplyDeleteThe way a 'new initiative' is being used is seldom if ever to give emphasis.
But it's an interesting point.
I suppose it is like a 'free gift.'
ReplyDeletePerfect and so annoying. It always jars. Probably from the world of advertising and business: all the 'free gifts' they lavish on us.
ReplyDelete