common adjectives questions

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Steve - 17 Jan 2007 01:17 GMT

I want to ask several common adjectives for the following descriptions.

1) What's the adjective to describe the action of 'using someone' to
accomplish something? I heard people say 'Person A
is using Person B to accomplish the task.'

2) What's the adjective to describe the action of releasing the anger
or depression. For example, people who feel sad
like to play sports to reduce their depression.

3) How to describe people who always like to change without intentions?
I don't think they are dishonest. For example,
Person A promises you for dinner in this restaurant, and suddenly
Person A want to change the place. Maybe I should
use the term 'unreliable'?

Please advice. thanks!!

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Barbara Bailey - 17 Jan 2007 02:48 GMT

>I want to ask several common adjectives for the following descriptions.
>
>1) What's the adjective to describe the action of 'using someone' to
>accomplish something? I heard people say 'Person A
>is using Person B to accomplish the task.'

"Manipulative" is the adjective for Person A. Person B may be called
"unsuspecting" or they may be called "a stalking horse" (1. Something
used to cover one's true purpose; a decoy.
<http://www.thefreedictionary.com/stalking+horse> )or a "tool"

>2) What's the adjective to describe the action of releasing the anger
>or depression. For example, people who feel sad
>like to play sports to reduce their depression.

Are you looking for "catharsis" here?
From <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/catharsis>
2. A purifying or figurative cleansing of the emotions, especially
pity and fear, described by Aristotle as an effect of tragic drama on
its audience.
3. A release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming
experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.

>3) How to describe people who always like to change without intentions?
>I don't think they are dishonest. For example,
>Person A promises you for dinner in this restaurant, and suddenly
>Person A want to change the place. Maybe I should
>use the term 'unreliable'?

Unreliable works. "Undependable" or "untrustworthy" could also work,
although untrustworthy usually implies something more serious than
just changing their mind about a restaurant.

>Please advice. thanks!!

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Robert Lieblich - 17 Jan 2007 03:11 GMT

[ ... ]

> >2) What's the adjective to describe the action of releasing the anger
> >or depression. For example, people who feel sad
> >like to play sports to reduce their depression.
>
> Are you looking for "catharsis" here?
> From <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/catharsis>

Adjective form: "cathartic"

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Ekkehard Dengler - 17 Jan 2007 12:35 GMT

> 3) How to describe people who always like to change without intentions?
> I don't think they are dishonest. For example,
> Person A promises you for dinner in this restaurant, and suddenly
> Person A want to change the place. Maybe I should
> use the term 'unreliable'?

I suggest "fickle".

Regards,
Ekkehard

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2007

common adjectives questions