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Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
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 Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject: retrospect |
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1.On his way to the hometown, he retrospected to his childhood.
2.On his way to the hometown, he retrospected on his childhood.
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In my dictionary, the word 'retrospect' is a noun. But I saw #1 in a book.
So, I'd like to know :
1. Can the word 'retrospect' be used as a verb?
2.Then, which one is better, #1 or #2?
Thanks. |
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dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
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| Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:08 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
1.On his way to the hometown, he retrospected to his childhood.
2.On his way to the hometown, he retrospected on his childhood.
In my dictionary, the word 'retrospect' is a noun. But I saw #1 in a book.
So, I'd like to know :
1. Can the word 'retrospect' be used as a verb?
2.Then, which one is better, #1 or #2? |
Well, I guess you learn something new every day. According to Webster's Third New International Dictionary (which I personally regard as the final authority in questions of usage), retrospect can indeed be used as a verb (both transitively and intransitively). Their examples of intransitive usage used the preposition to, so use the first sentence if you must. The second may be acceptable as well, however.
In reality, I wouldn't use either one. Here's my logic:
I was born, raised, and college educated in the American Midwest. As a point of fact, I have never heard or seen retrospect used as a verb in my entire life, and only checked the dictionary on a whim, just to be sure. If I have never heard or seen a particular language item used a certain way in my entire life, that tells me something. That is not insignificant. Conclusions can be drawn from that fact. That suggests to me that it is pretty uncommon usage. Many native speakers would (mistakenly) consider it wrong, or at least strange. That was my initial reaction. I wouldn't touch it.
How about reminisce?
Greg |
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:41 am Post subject: |
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The plot thickens!
According to the Oxford Dictionary, retrospect is a noun only.
I must say that to use it as a verb sounds wrong - to me at least.
Perhaps the difference is between American and British usage? |
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dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
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| Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Maybe, but my guess is that it's fairly archaic rather than merely a difference between American and British usage. For retrospect as a verb, Webster's Third quotes two individuals: one British and one American. However, both quotes date back to the 18th century. That tells me everything I need to know. 
Greg |
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