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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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an active research

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an active research" is not correct in English.
It should be "active research" or "an active area of research." You can use the correct form when discussing ongoing studies or investigations in a particular field. Example: "The university is known for its active research in renewable energy technologies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SLAC is an active research laboratory.

Robot locomotion is an active research area.

Grasp detection is an active research branch in robotic field.

Additionally, the Jepson Curator maintains an active research program.

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) is an active research area.

Advanced building materials are nowadays an active research domain.

How our brain works at that moment to resolve the situations and react properly has created an active research field.

Science & Research

Nature

The AOSSM provides continuing-education courses to its members as well and maintains an active research program.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

Right now, Reddy says, OCR is an active research area in which many countries are contributing expertise.

Dr. Hafler runs an active research program applying qualitative research methods in medical education.

Our clinic operates in the setting of an active research program.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using the grammatically correct phrases "active research" or "an active area of research." Emphasize the domain where research is ongoing rather than implying that research itself is active.

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "an" before "active research." Use "active research" when referring to the general concept or "an active area of research" to denote a specific research domain.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to function as a descriptor, indicating that a certain field or area is currently under investigation. However, grammatically it is incorrect; it should be "active research" or "an active area of research". Ludwig also highlights this issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

Academia

25%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "an active research" appears frequently, Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "active research" (without the article) or "an active area of research". The phrase is commonly used in academic and scientific contexts to describe fields that are currently being investigated. Remember to prioritize grammatical accuracy and consider using alternative phrases like "ongoing research" or "current research" to maintain clarity and correctness in your writing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an active research"?

The grammatically correct ways to express this concept are either "active research" (without an article) or "an active area of research".

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

You can use "active research" to describe a field with ongoing investigations. For example, "The university is engaged in active research in artificial intelligence."

What are some alternatives to saying "an active research"?

Instead of "an active research", you can use phrases like "ongoing research", "current research", or "dynamic research field".

Is it ever correct to use "an" before "active research"?

No, it's generally not correct. Use "active research" or rephrase to "an active area of research" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: