Use of the word- "Astute"

[Bayulah]

If anyone can shed some light on this, I would appreciate it.

A friend of mine and I had a debate on the use of the word "astute" over the weekend. He thought you could use it possessively- for example, "you are technologically astute" or "you are financially astute" and I thought it was better to use it after someone has shown the astuteness--- for example-- "your analysis is astute," "the lawyers astute arguments won over the jury."

To be clear, I believe that both are correct, but I believe that using it after a showing of said astuteness is better. I dont believe I should say "you are gerographically astute," or "you are scientifically astute" without you having shown that you are astute in the given area. I am of the opinion that, for example, after I make a good scientific argument- one can say to me-- you have made a very astute scientific analysis. I dont think I should say someone is "scientifically astute" simply because they have a Phd is physics. I hope I have made some sense.

What are your thoughts? Thanks for your time.

[Fresh Reader]

Dictionary says "having or showing" shrewdness. I'd say either one works.

[Yankee]

Hi Bayulah

As you yourself said, both can be used, but if you tell someone that they are "technologically astute", you are saying that the person is astute in the area of technology in general. You are not referring only or directly to something specific that the person might have written or said.

That's my take.
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Amy
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ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English