Can I say I’m germinating an idea?

Question

Seeds germinate, ideas germinate, feelings germinate. The verb germinate seems to be acting ON the subject and cannot ACT on the subject, I reckon.

Will it be wrong, then, to say “I’m germinatin an idea in my mind”? It should be: “An idea is germinating in me”?

I would like to have more insight in these types of verbs.

Thanks.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

HallWill it be wrong, then, to say “I’m germinatin an idea in my mind”?

I would not put it that way. In the transitive use, one thing is the seed of the other, and you are not the seed. More like it would be something like "Her comments germinated an idea in my mind."

HallIt should be: “An idea is germinating in me”?

Better. This is the intransitive use. Still, it's weak because we don't see a figurative seed. Again, maybe "Her comments caused an idea to germinate in me."

HallI would like to have more insight in these types of verbs.

I don't know what types of verbs you mean, but I look forward to the threads you will be germinating.

Can I say I’m germinating an idea?

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