本期词汇: intervene • mediate • intercede • arbitrate
These words all mean to try to end a disagreement or to reach an agreement, especially on behalf of sb else.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS
► to intervene/mediate/intercede on behalf of sb
► to intervene/intercede with sb
► to intervene/mediate/arbitrate between A and B
► to intervene/mediate/arbitrate in sth
► to ask sb to intervene/mediate/intercede
intervene [ I ] ( rather formal ) to become involved in a situation in order to try and improve or help it The EU refuses to intervene to control the trade. ► intervention noun [ U , C ]: There have been calls for government intervention to save the steel industry.
mediate [ I , T ] ( rather formal )
to try to end a disagreement between two or more people or groups by talking to them and trying to find things that everyone can agree on An independent body was brought in to mediate between workers and management.
intercede [ I ] ( formal ) to speak to sb in order to persuade them to show pity on sb else or to help end a disagreement I prayed that she would intercede for us. NOTE intervene or intercede? Intervene is a more general word which can refer to actions as well as discussions. You can intervene in any situation where you think you can help in some way. Intercede is often used in a situation where one person or group has power over another and you speak to the person with power to try to persuade them to treat the other person kindly or with pity.
arbitrate [ I , T ] ( rather formal ) to officially settle an argument or disagreement between two people or groups A committee was created to arbitrate between management and the unions. ► arbitrationnoun [ U ]: Both sides in the dispute have agreed to go to arbitration .