It’s possible to get into serious linguistic arguments about this pair of words.
I used to work with a radio producer who insisted that the longer version (‘preventative’) was ‘Simply wrong!’
So, was she right?
Is one version wrong and the other right?
And what about meaning?
Another colleague I worked with years ago once claimed they had subtle differences in meaning.
He claimed the shorter version (‘preventive’) could only be used in medical contexts, while the longer version should be used in every other context.
Again, was he right?
Well (spoiler alert)—no, both those objections are wrong.
The simple truth is that ‘preventive’ and ‘preventative’ are exact synonyms—with precisely the same meaning.
Both are adjectives used to describe things that are meant to prevent an occurrence.
And either can be used in any context.
What about the objection that one is wrong and the other right?
Again—that is not the case.
Both are correct English words, listed in all the major dictionaries, and both are centuries old.
Both are over 400 years old, and ‘preventive’ is only slightly older than ‘preventative.’
‘Preventive’ is recorded from around 1626 and the longer version ‘preventative’ from about 30 years later, from around 1655.
So, there’s not a lot in it.
How come we have two versions?
That’s a good question, and the experts seem unsure, so I’ll give you my guess.
‘Preventive’ was coined first (as an adjective formed from the verb ‘to prevent’) with the obvious meaning.
But (and here I am guessing) there were enough speakers of the English language who found it an awkward word to say and so added the extra syllable to make it more euphonious.
(The longer version has a rhythm to it that the shorter version lacks.)
Is that what happened?
Well, it might be.
There is a similar story with another word that comes in two versions: ‘orientate’ and ‘orientated.’
Both words mean ‘aligned in a certain direction’ (originally it meant ‘towards the east’ but now it means any set direction.’)
‘To orient’ is earlier, and the later version ‘to orientate’ probably arose (in this case) as a back formation from ‘orientation’—but both are correct and both have exactly the same meaning.
The Americans regard the longer version ‘orientate’ as wrong—but they are wrong.
Both are equally acceptable.
And today in British (and Australian) English the longer version is more common.
Well now, have I settled any linguistic disputes for you?
Probably not.
These arguments will go on forever!
Tonight, I will be a panellist on 'The Media Show' on Sky News -- 9:30pm (AEDT).
TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER SCROLL FURTHER DOWN THIS PAGE >>>>>>
BOOKS:
* My latest book is Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries -- containing 50 new stories I have written about the great detective. You can find it on Amazon. Just go to Amazon and type in Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries in the search panel. Or use this link: h Amazon.com.au : Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries Kel Richards
* My book "Defending the Gospel" is now in a second, fully revised, edition. You can find it here: Defending the Gospel – matthiasmedia.com.au
* If you're looking for my recent book "Flash Jim" you'll find it here -- Flash Jim, The astonis
hing story of the convict fraudster who wrote Australia's first dictionary by Kel Richards | 9781460759769 | Booktopia
* You can find all Kel's books currently in print here -- Booktopia Search Results for 'kel richards'. We sell books, hardback, paperback, audio, CDs.
* And also here -- Amazon.com.au : Kel Richards
* And you'll find more here -- Search: 4 results found for "Kel Richards" – matthiasmedia.com.au
* Many of Kel's out of print books can be found at ABE Books -- Kel Richards - AbeBooks explaining words explain the term
BY THE WAY...
If you'd like to see my A-Z list of Aussie slang, you'll find it here in the Australian Geographic website -- A-Z list of Aussie slang. Here’s the link: The A-Z of Aussie slang - Australian Geographic
The liveliest part of this website is usually the Q and A page -- be sure to check it out from time to time.
