ADJ

fresh, new
fresh initiatives to find a peaceful end to the conflict
pioneering
pioneering initiatives in bioengineering
current, latest, recent
important, major
welcome
successful
practical
exciting
private
co-operative, joint
international, local, national, regional
government
business, diplomatic, economic, education/educational, environmental, marketing, peace, policy, political, research, training

QUANT

range, series

VERB + INITIATIVE

undertake
The research initiative is being undertaken by a group of environmentalists
plan
develop
announce
introduce, launch, set up, start
The government has launched a new policy initiative
be/become involved in
Ten schools have been involved in the initiative
lead
approve
reject
The peace initiative was rejected out of hand
sponsor
a peace initiative sponsored by the Organization of African Unity
endorse, support
The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger
welcome
We welcome the government's initiative to help the homeless
praise
encourage

INITIATIVE + VERB

be aimed at sth, be designed to
a local initiative aimed at economic regeneration an initiative designed to promote collaborative research
involve sth, relate to sth
founder
The initiative foundered because there was no market interest in redevelopment

PREP

~ against
a new initiative against car theft
~ by
the latest initiative by the UN Secretary General
~ for
an initiative for peace and human rights
~ on
the government's major new initiative on crime

ADJ

considerable, great, real
individual, personal, private
It is a very hierarchical company and there's little place for individual initiative
entrepreneurial

VERB + INITIATIVE

have
He had the initiative to ask what time the last train left
display, show
act/work on your own, use
He acted on his own initiative and wasn't following orders. Don't ask me what you should do all the time. Use your initiative!
lack
encourage, promote
stifle
Raising taxes on small businesses will stifle initiative

PREP

on sb's ~
The project was set up on the initiative of a local landowner
~ in
Some scientists show little initiative in applying their knowledge

PHRASES

a lack of initiative, on your own initiative
In an unprecedented action, the army, on its own initiative, arrested seven civilians

VERB + INITIATIVE

have, hold
After their latest setback, the rebel forces no longer hold the initiative
gain, seize, take
regain
In the second half, Manchester United regained the initiative
lose

INITIATIVE + VERB

comes from sb/sth, lie with sb
The initiative to re-open negotiations came from Moscow

PREP

~ in
She took the initiative in asking the board to conduct an enquiry