active agent

USAGE SUMMARY

"active agent" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a person, group, or entity that is actively involved in causing a particular action or effect. It can be used in a wide range of contexts, from scientific or medical discussions to literature and politics. Example: "The government's new policies have been widely criticized, with many pointing to large corporations as the active agents responsible for their implementation." In this sentence, "active agents" refers to the companies that are actively involved in implementing the government's policies.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Strikingly, the more active agent, ADPM06, even retained significant activity under hypoxic conditions.

British Journal of Cancer

Kennedy, Clarke says, was an active agent.

The New Yorker

But who or what is the active agent here?

The Economist

Tralopyril was the active agent of a pro-insecticide chlorfenapyr.

Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology

The mean for active agent was 6.8 ± 2.1.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Topotecan is an active agent in ovarian cancer.

Gynecologic Oncology

But it is also an active agent that mirrors life and potentially transforms it.

The New York Times - Arts

While Falk is no longer the most active agent, he remains highly influential.

The New York Times

This isn't necessarily surprising – we know nicotine, the active agent in both, affects this vessel.

The Guardian

But there's nothing to suggest Astor was a covert sympathiser, let alone an active agent".

The Guardian

At the time, the most active agent of wholesale change was thought to be Soviet Communism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scientific or technical topics, use "active agent" to refer to the component that produces a specific effect. For example, "The study identified the active agent responsible for the drug's efficacy."

Common error

Avoid using "active agent" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "driver" or "influence" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "active agent" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "active" modifies the noun "agent". It identifies something that is the source of an action or effect, as seen in Ludwig's examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

39%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "active agent" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase in English, primarily used in formal and scientific contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it refers to something actively involved in causing a specific action or effect. While it is generally appropriate for technical or analytical discussions, it should be used sparingly in informal settings. Related phrases include "driving force" and "key player", which can serve as suitable alternatives depending on the specific context. The phrase's prevalence in science and news media highlights its utility in describing causal relationships and influential entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

driving force

This alternative emphasizes the energy and impetus behind an action or change.

main driver

This emphasizes the role of initiating and sustaining a process.

key player

This term suggests importance and influence within a specific field or situation.

primary factor

This alternative points out the most important element contributing to a result.

principal actor

This alternative highlights the primary entity performing an action.

leading influence

This highlights the power to affect someone or something.

operative force

This highlights the force that is currently effective.

prime mover

This phrase stresses the entity that initiates movement or change.

chief catalyst

This term emphasizes the role of accelerating a process or change.

central figure

This suggests a position of great importance and activity.

FAQs

How can I use "active agent" in a sentence?

Use "active agent" to describe something or someone that is producing a specific effect. For example, "The active agent in this reaction is the catalyst."

What's the difference between "active agent" and "driving force"?

"Active agent" typically refers to a component producing a specific effect, while "driving force" suggests something that propels or motivates an action.

Which is a more formal term: "active agent" or "key player"?

"Active agent" is generally more formal, particularly in scientific or technical contexts. "Key player" is often used in business or political contexts to denote someone influential.

What can I say instead of "active agent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "driving force", "key player", or "main driver".