Discussion Forum (Archived)
Guest
I know all of you cringe at the word "incentivize", but assuming it will be around and used by some, I'd really like to know what people think its direct object is. I assumed, and have found in online dictionaries (eg American Heritage Dictionary, 2000, updated 2003), that you incentivize a person, i.e. encourage or give him/her incentives to do something.
But in an episode of NPR's the Diane Rehm Show (Jan. 8), no fewer than two eminent guests (one a representative of the Pew Centre on Climate Change) talked about "to incentivize the technology", referring to advanced technology for cleaner fuels, carbon capture, etc. What they seemed to mean is to attach incentives to the technology, so that companies which introduce the technology receive tax breaks or state aid, for instance.
Since this is a neologism, I suppose usage is not yet fixed, but has anyone heard it used in this way or think it is correct to do so?
Hmmm, I confess I've never heard it used that way in real life, Monica. But I notice the OED (which lists a first citation of 1968) says:
"To motivate or encourage (a person, esp. an employee or customer) by providing a (usually financial) incentive; also with to and infinitive. Also: to make (a product, scheme, etc.) attractive by offering an incentive for purchase or participation."
I'm adjusting to the first sense, but the latter strikes me as too vague.
I don't mean to be a party-pooper but perhaps “incentivize” is a legitimate word (in its own right) and has the specific meaning of “to encourage action towards a common ideal by providing a reward in advance”. Then again, maybe there already is a word which means that. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to learn to roll with the punches…
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
1 Guest(s)