Government or governmental?

Question

Hello!I know that the word government can be used as adjective but I cannot understand when I must use government and when governmental in the phrases government(al) regulation, government(al) control etc. Could you help me with this question?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Hi Yuliya,
Welcome to English Forums. Thanks for joining us. Your post seems to have slipped through the cracks. Sorry about that.

I don't have a stock answer for you. Perhaps someone else does.
As far as I can see, there's no hard and fast rule.
Are you familiar with the concept of "countable" and "uncountable" nouns?

I'd be inclined to say, "This is a government regulation." "This is a government control."
"Regulation" and "control" are nouns which can sometimes be countable and sometimes uncountable.

The legislature passed three new government regulations this week. (A countable noun may be used in the plural.)
Is that a company regulation or a government regulation? Are those company regulations or government regulations?
We'd say that "countable nouns" are the names of things. Regulations and controls are things.
I think the adjective "government" works best with this type of noun usage, but it's not a strict rule. "Governmental" would not be incorrect.

"Uncountable nouns" refer to stuff. There's far too much governmental regulation these days!! In this case, "regulation" is stuff. Again, I think "governmental" works best here, but it's not set in stone. "Government" would not be incorrect.

Someone else may have a different idea about this, but it may give you something to think about.
I don't believe you'll get in too much trouble if you use the longer adjective with the uncountable nouns and vice versa.

I could also mention that "governmental" is an "upper register word." People would be less likely to use it in casual conversation, unless those people were professional people.
But I can't think of a situation off hand in which either adjective would be considered incorrect.

Best wishes and good luck!

- A.

Government or governmental?

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