actively

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'actively' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to explain when someone is taking an active part in something – for example, "The teacher actively encouraged her students to participate in the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a speech setting out the government package to deter so-called benefit tourism, Cameron will say EU migrants can only continue to claim jobseekers allowance if they have been continuously actively seeking work and have a realistic imminent prospect of finding a job.

The Guardian

But the prime minister failed to win the support of more than half of his 303 MPs after 136 Tories rejected the measure and around 40 Tory MPs either did not vote or actively abstained.

The Guardian

Far from bolstering stability, Saudi policy actively works against western attempts to end the standoff with non-Arab Iran – still the natural regional partner for London and Washington that it was before the 1979 revolution.

The Guardian

In September, I emailed: Since you've chosen not to publish based on the information we have and we're not actively pursuing any more information, then I think it's reasonable to conclude that The Star is passing on this story.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's a crucial part of the vision of the institution even to be a little bit disputatious in a way, and that's something we're actively trying to seek, not as a way of shocking people for no good reason, but to encourage conversation".

The Guardian - Arts

The foreign affairs ministers had reportedly said they would not actively search for the migrants but on Thursday Malaysia's premier, Najib Razak, ordered the navy and maritime officials to launch a search-and-rescue mission for the boat people.

The Guardian

While Labour's MP for Newcastle East and former Cabinet Minister, Nick Brown, declared that the idea was simply "cruel and stupid", in January the party was actively calling for the Government's overall benefit cap to differentiate between regions based on the fact that someone in the north would need less than someone in London.

The Guardian

Labour's campaign spokesman, Fraser Kemp, told Guardian Unlimited: "It is disgraceful that the Liberal Democrats are actively seeking money from foreigners to fund their election campaign".

The Guardian

Thursday night's Banished and Sunday night's Poldark are actively rewriting the visual grammar of the costume drama as we know it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But self care, or actively looking after yourself in a healthy way, is something many young people practice shamelessly; it is not only empowering, but necessary.

The Guardian

"I know through networks that there is still an operation to actively collect postal votes to encourage people to vote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actively" to emphasize that someone is taking a prominent and energetic role in an activity, rather than passively observing or participating minimally.

Common error

Avoid using "actively" when the intended meaning is already clear through the use of active voice. Adding "actively" to a sentence like "She teaches students" can be redundant, as teaching inherently implies active engagement. Consider if the adverb truly adds emphasis or merely clutters the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "actively" primarily functions to modify verbs, emphasizing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates a state of engagement, involvement, or proactive participation, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "actively" is a versatile term used to emphasize engagement and intentionality in an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammar rules and is frequently found in diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While alternatives such as "proactively" and "energetically" exist, "actively" provides a specific nuance of direct and purposeful involvement. To use it effectively, ensure it adds emphasis and isn't redundant within the sentence structure. Remember that, although "actively" can be used in different source types, it is more appropriate to use it in a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a proactive manner

Emphasizes taking initiative rather than simply reacting.

with engagement

Focuses on the level of interest and participation.

involvement directly

Highlights the direct participation in an activity.

taking initiative

Highlights the act of starting or pursuing something.

performing energetically

Underscores the level of vigor and effort exerted.

in a hands-on fashion

Implies a practical and direct method of involvement.

with purpose

Highlights having a clear aim or intention.

making efforts

Focuses on the exertion of energy to achieve a goal.

playing a role

Suggests taking part in a particular function or capacity.

by taking action

Focuses on performing steps to achieve something.

FAQs

How can I use "actively" in a sentence to show strong involvement?

Use "actively" to emphasize a strong and energetic role in an action. For example, "The community is "actively involved" in the cleanup efforts."

What are some alternatives to "actively" that convey a similar meaning?

You can use alternatives like "proactively", "energetically", or "directly" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "actively" when describing an action?

No, using "actively" is not always necessary. Sometimes, the verb itself implies active engagement. Use "actively" when you want to emphasize the level of involvement or dedication.

What's the difference between "actively" and "passively"?

"Actively" indicates engagement and direct involvement, while "passively" suggests accepting or allowing something to happen without taking action. For example, "Actively participated" vs. "passively observed".