A forum for examining the language of speech and writing.
Jamaica based vs Jamaican-based
An entity whose primary operations are in Jamaica or England is regarded as a 'Jamaica based' or 'England-based' entity, not 'Jamaican-based' or 'English-based'. In this context, 'based' takes on a prepositional function, establishing the relationship between the entity and the country.
The country (Jamaica/England) is a noun, so it should not be changed to an adjective (Jamaican/English) in signifying the relationship to the entity. The nouns 'Jamaican and English' represent nationality, but you are not connecting the entity to nationality, but to country.
Energise and enervate
Energise, we all know that one - basically meaning to infuse energy into an individual, a situation, etc. I recently heard a very 'speaky spokey' man use the word 'enervate' with that intended meaning.
To enervate (stressed on the first syllable 'en') suggests the complete opposite of energise. It means 'to weaken or deprive of vigour'. So you see the trouble. There is also the adjective, 'enervate' (stressed on the second syllable 'er') meaning lacking in energy and vigour. I am glad Mr Speaky Spokey' was not offering to 'enervate' our athletes.
