a reactive position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reactive position" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe someone who is making decisions based on the current situation, rather than on a pre-planned strategy. For example, "The company adopted a reactive position, responding quickly to opportunities as they appeared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It takes a long time… and it takes moving away from a reactive position, climbing to the top of a mountain and looking at what has taken place… both in recent times and throughout history.

The Guardian

Instead, the Falcons put themselves in a reactive position, allowing what has  becoming a very good Giants defense to play ahead in the downs.

The New York Times

Firstly, monoclonal antibodies are selected only if displaying the following binding features: binding both the substrate and a reactive group in such a way that the two groups are in a reactive position towards each other.

Journal of Immunological Methods

In order to significantly increase the hydrolysis reaction rate, the controlled respective positioning of the oxime and of the substrate will be achieved through the immunization, and in a second step, the oxime will be bound to the mAb in a reactive position towards the reactive thiophosphate functionality of the substrate.

Tetrahedron Letters

This puts other global powers and US adversaries in a reactive position when it comes to drone technology.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I don't think that taking a reactive view of 'can we go in, can we get away with it' is a position filled with integrity," said Delves.

The Guardian

"Adaptability: Resilient firms are adaptable, commitments to firm improvement and able to dynamically revise aspects of the firm's strategic positioning in response to market shifts rather than sticking to a conventional business routine or adopting a reactive posture.

Huffington Post

It is not an incidental or reactive position; in Cancer Journals, Lorde explains the feminist rationale behind it.

The Guardian - Books

I think this is finally starting to change, that because of the widespread repudiation of the Bush administration a lot of Republicans are rethinking this kind of reactive position.

Vice

Labeling of substrate with isotopes of hydrogen at the primary reactive position of the alcohol substrate shows a pattern for wild-type (WT) enzyme in which a primary kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of ca. 3 is present and invariant above 30 °C (the physiologically relevant temperature range), becoming larger and more temperature dependent below 30 °C.

Accounts of Chemical Research

To explain their reactive position, one of the nurses also complained that, as a profession, nurses always have to take the first step toward settling interprofessional differences and opposed styles of health care delivery, an experience that she expressed with the metaphor "nurses as nuns": [N]urses were also those who took everything on their shoulders.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a strategy, consider whether "a reactive position" accurately reflects the approach, contrasting it with proactive or preventative methods.

Common error

Avoid using "a reactive position" when the situation calls for a more proactive approach. Ensure your writing distinguishes between responding to events and taking initiative to shape them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reactive position" functions as a noun phrase, where "reactive" modifies the noun "position". It often describes a stance or strategy adopted in response to external stimuli or events, as illustrated by Ludwig examples showing its application in diverse fields. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a reactive position" is a grammatically correct and valid expression used to describe a stance or strategy adopted in response to external events, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare in occurrence, it finds application across diverse fields such as news, media, science, and business. When writing, it's important to use the expression in contexts where the emphasis is on responding to events rather than proactive planning, and to consider alternatives such as "a defensive stance" or "a responsive approach" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reactionary position

Implies a response against a previous action or statement, often politically motivated.

a defensive stance

Suggests protecting oneself from criticism or attack, focusing on self-preservation.

a responsive approach

Highlights the act of answering or replying, emphasizing communication and attentiveness.

an adaptive strategy

Focuses on the ability to change and adjust to new conditions or situations.

a flexible attitude

Emphasizes the capacity to be easily modified, implying openness to change and compromise.

a contingent plan

Stresses dependence on certain conditions or events; actions are determined by external circumstances.

an adjusting tactic

Underlines the act of making small changes or corrections to improve alignment with a target.

a pliable mindset

Suggests being easily influenced or shaped, indicating openness and receptiveness.

a fluid arrangement

Highlights the dynamic and changeable nature of an agreement or setup.

a mutable state

Stresses susceptibility to change or alteration, indicating a lack of permanence.

FAQs

How can "a reactive position" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a reactive position" to describe someone or something that responds to events after they happen, such as, "The company adopted "a reactive position" in the market, waiting for competitors to make the first move".

What's the difference between "a reactive position" and "a proactive position"?

"A reactive position" involves responding to events as they occur, while "a proactive position" involves anticipating and preparing for future events.

What are some alternatives to "a reactive position"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a defensive stance", "a responsive approach", or "an adaptive strategy".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a reactive position"?

The phrase "a reactive position" is suitable in contexts such as business strategy, politics, and science to describe responses to external stimuli or events.