an active volcano

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an active volcano" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a volcano that is currently erupting or has the potential to erupt in the near future. Example: "Mount St. Helens is an active volcano that last erupted in 2008."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Deception Island is still an active volcano with thermal activity that creates steam where water meets land.

Huffington Post

It's marshland with an active volcano".

The New Yorker

For Vesuvius is an active volcano.

The Guardian - Arts

It is also home to an active volcano, Mawson Peak.

The Guardian

Close to the city is an active volcano.

The Guardian

It is the caldera of an active volcano.

The New York Times

3. Design and create a three-dimensional model of an active volcano.

The New York Times

Take two hours out of your day to scale La Soufrière, an active volcano.

The Guardian - Travel

Write a packing list for one of Webster's journeys to an active volcano.

The New York Times

It was like peering into the guts of an active volcano.

The New York Times - Health

The city itself is overlooked by an active volcano that periodically covers the city with ash.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a volcano, use "an active volcano" to clearly indicate that it is currently erupting or has the potential to erupt soon. This helps distinguish it from dormant or extinct volcanoes.

Common error

Avoid using "an active volcano" when referring to a volcano that only shows minor signs of activity, such as steam vents. Reserve the phrase for volcanoes that are either erupting or showing clear signs of an imminent eruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an active volcano" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "active" modifies the noun "volcano". It describes a specific type of volcano that is either currently erupting or has the potential to erupt. This aligns with Ludwig AI, which confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

17%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an active volcano" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a volcano that is currently erupting or has the potential to erupt in the near future. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English. It frequently appears in news, academic, and encyclopedia contexts, and is understood to be of neutral register. While the phrase itself is straightforward, using it accurately requires understanding the different states of a volcano to differentiate between active, dormant, and extinct classifications. Remember, reserve "an active volcano" for volcanoes showing clear and ongoing signs of potential or current eruption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Currently erupting volcano

Emphasizes the present state of eruption.

Erupting volcano

Focuses on the immediate state of eruption, rather than the volcano's potential.

Volcano in eruption

Highlights the state of eruption as the main characteristic.

Volcanically active area

Shifts the focus to the area rather than the volcano itself.

Live volcano

Informal way to describe a volcano that could erupt at any moment.

Restless volcano

Implies a state of unrest and potential eruption.

Potentially eruptive volcano

Highlights the possibility of a future eruption.

Volcano with recent activity

Indicates recent eruptions or signs of volcanic activity.

Unstable volcano

Suggests the volcano is prone to eruption due to its instability.

Awakened volcano

Implies a volcano that was dormant but has now become active.

FAQs

How to use "an active volcano" in a sentence?

You can use "an active volcano" to describe a volcano that is currently erupting or has the potential to erupt in the near future. For example: "The town is located near "an active volcano", so residents must be prepared for potential eruptions."

What can I say instead of "an active volcano"?

You can use alternatives like "erupting volcano", "volcano in eruption", or "currently erupting volcano depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an active volcano" or "a dormant volcano"?

"An active volcano" refers to a volcano that is currently erupting or has the potential to erupt, while "a dormant volcano" refers to one that is not currently erupting but could erupt in the future. The correct phrase depends on the volcano's state.

What's the difference between "an active volcano" and "a potentially eruptive volcano"?

"An active volcano" typically implies current or very recent activity, while "a potentially eruptive volcano" suggests the volcano is capable of erupting in the future, even if it's not currently showing signs of activity.