What is "a threatened strike?"

Question

"The period following World War 2 was filled with a succession of crises as the U.S. was having difficulties going back to a peacetime economy. A threatened railroad strike in 1946 was one of the crises that led to a reconsideration of interrelationships among management, labor, and government."

I'm more familiar with the word "threaten" used as a verb like, "he threatened to shoot me if I didn't do.... blah blah" or as the adjective "The US government has listed polar bears as a threatened species owing to a drastic reduction in Arctic sea ice..."

But "a threatened strike"? What does that mean? Did the railroad workers' union threaten to go on a strike? Is that what it means? If so, then why not "the threatened railroad strike in 1946"? Or was it that there was a strike planned, but it never garnered much support from the union members or something? so the strike was "threatened"?

Any help would be much appreciated! =]

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

But "a threatened strike"? What does that mean? Did the railroad workers' union threaten to go on a strike? Is that what it means? Yes

If so, then why not "the threatened railroad strike in 1946"? Or was it that there was a strike planned, but it never garnered much support from the union members or something? Yes

so the strike was "threatened"? Yes

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Let me number the questions in a more orderly manner.

The main question:
But "a threatened strike"? What does that mean?

1. Did the railroad workers' union threaten to go on a strike? Is that what it means?
1-A. If so, then why not "the threatened railroad strike in 1946"?

2. Or was it that there was a strike planned, but it never garnered much support from the union members or something? so the strike was "threatened"?

So it's either 1 or 2, the answer can't be both at the same time.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I don't seem fully to understand your query. I'll try again.

The main question:
But "a threatened strike"? What does that mean?

1. Did the railroad workers' union threaten to go on a strike? Is that what it means?

Somebody threatened that there would be a strike. Probably the union, but possibly someone else, eg a pro-labour politician.
1-A. If so, then why not "the threatened railroad strike in 1946"?

Are you asking why it's a, rather than the? Because the first mention of something is normally non-specific.

eg A stranger came into our classroom yesterday,. The stranger was Russian. The stranger had red hair.

2. Or was it that there was a strike planned, but it never garnered much support from the union members or something? so the strike was "threatened"? 'Threatened ' does strongly imply that the strike did not actually happen. We do not know why it didn't happen.

eg Perhaps the union membership did not suport the union leaders.

eg Perhaps the union's demands were met and thus a strike became unnecessary.

eg Perhaps the union just changed its mind.

So it's either 1 or 2, the answer can't be both at the same time. I don't understand your thinking here. Have my comments above answered your question? If not, please try to ask it again if you want to, and I'll try to follow your thought.

Best wishes, Clive

Ralaan · Answer

The reason I said it can't be both 1 and 2 is that there is a difference between "threatened" as in the simple past tense of threaten and "threatened" as an adjective:

1. A group of people threatened to go on a strike.

2.There was some kind of a strike planned, but the prospect of executing the plan was threatened. as in "the existence of polar bears as a species is threatened.

How can "a threatened strike" can imply both, when the situations described by these two sentences are two different things?

Please, help.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

The reason I said it can't be both 1 and 2 is that there is a difference between "threatened" as in the simple past tense of threaten and "threatened" as an adjective:

1. A group of people threatened to go on a strike.

2.There was some kind of a strike planned, but the prospect of executing the plan was threatened. as in "the existence of polar bears as a species is threatened.

How can "a threatened strike" can imply both, when the situations described by these two sentences are two different things?

Oh, I see what you mean.

The context would normally make the intended meaning very clear.

eg I am worried about the threatened existence of polar bears as a species.

This would not normally be taken to mean that there is a threat that polar bears will continue to exist. Nobody would see this as a threat.

eg The threatened railroad strike is a danger to the US economy.

No-one would take this to mean that the US economy is in danger because the plan to have a strike is threatened. The context clearly suggests that the strike itself is a bad thing.

Best wishes again, Clive

Ralaan · Answer

Thank you! Now it's all very clear. =]

Clive · Answer

Hi,

You're welcome.

Clive

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