67. ¿Son correctas estas oraciones?: I can’t meet you on Friday. / I have a previous compromise. / I can’t meet you on Friday. / I have a previous commitment.

La frase I have a previous commitment es correcta y quiere decir que se tiene un compromiso anterior, algo que se ha acordado o prometido hacer, y que por lo general, restringe la libertad para desempeñar otras tareas:

Due to an earlier commitment to discuss price rises with the finance department, the director will not have time to visit the teaching centre.

El término commitment también se usa para sugerir que alguien cree firmemente en algo y acepta las responsabilidades que conlleva:

Our commitment to equal opportunities is unrivalled in the sector, as evidenced by our mission statement.

Adopting a dog is a serious commitment and should only be done if you are willing to look after your new best friend.

El sustantivo compromise, por el contrario, designa un acuerdo que tiene en cuenta intereses, objetivos o puntos de vista diferentes con el fin de alcanzar un acuerdo mutuo aceptable. A menudo se utiliza con los verbos find y reach:

I wanted to paint the room red and she wanted it blue – in the end we reached a compromise and chose a kind of violet colour.

Look Bob – let’s find a compromise – you can have tomorrow off, but you have to be here earlier than usual the day after.

El verbo compromise significa ‘negociar un acuerdo’, aunque también puede tener el significado negativo de estar en una situación difícil o embarazosa debido a un comportamiento torpe o descuidado. El adjetivo compromising se limita a este último sentido:

If we want different things let’s talk - I’m sure we can compromise.

You can no longer work undercover, George – you’ve been compromised by that report in the newspaper about our operations.

His tendency to start drinking early in the day certainly compromises his ability to make decisions.

I think the minister will have to resign if these compromising photographs are made public.