0
Taka Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Pervasive

The sentence:
There are obvious ways in which the environment determines our activities and thoughts-we build here rather than there because of the greater suitability of the site; the presence of a river forces us to construct a bridge to carry the road across-but we also know that there are other more pervasive ways in which our relation to landscape and environment is indeed one of our own affectivity as much as of our ability to effect.


How do you translate the 'pervasive' here? My book says it's 'general (ways)'. But I think it's something more like 'influencial'...
  

Top answer

pervasive: that which pervades, gets into every part of, saturates, is wide-spread, is everywhere to be seen, known, experienced, seeps into everything I don't usually connect "pervasive" with "influential" except somewhat indirectly, perhaps. It could work in this specific context, though. CJ

— CalifJim

  • pervasive: that which pervades, gets into every part of, saturates, is wide-spread, is everywhere to be seen, known, experienced, seeps into everything I don't usually connect "pervasive" with "influential" except somewhat indirectly, perhaps.
  • It could work in this specific context, though.
  • CJ
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
pervasive: that which pervades, gets into every part of, saturates, is wide-spread, is everywhere to be seen, known, experienced, seeps into everything

I don't usually connect "pervasive" with "influential" except somewhat indirectly, perhaps. It could work in this specific context, though.

CJ
0
0
Using your definition, it could be like 'getting into every part of our heart' or something.

Anyway, thank you, CJ!

By the way, how would you translate the 'affectivity' here into other words?
0
0
I'd say "emotional sensitivity".

Hope that helps!
0
0
Good! That's exactly the same as my interpretation!

Thanks, CJ!
0

Related Questions