are not responsive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not responsive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of reaction or engagement, often in the context of communication or feedback. Example: "The clients have been contacted multiple times, but they are not responsive to our inquiries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Excusing behavior is belittling, and young adults are not responsive to being belittled.

Harvard University

On the other hand, men in our sample are not responsive to any of the treatments.

Journal of Public Economics

They become incensed when their leaders are not responsive to their needs.

The New York Times

PDFs are not responsive, making them so difficult to look at on a mobile screen they are virtually useless.

Stanford University

Critics say such producers are not responsive enough to regional control agencies and have little incentive to produce reactive power when it is needed.

The New York Times

"We know from the Moss inquiry and the Senate inquiry that the police are not responsive to allegations of sexual abuse.

The Guardian

"The first is, agents have been living under 60-year-old regulatory guidelines which are not responsive to the agency business in the 21st century.

The New York Times

We have found there are some supervisors who are more authoritarian than others and who are not responsive to the mostly female workers.

The Guardian - Business

Several conventional methods have been implemented to avoid congestion, but they are not responsive enough to the varying transmission capacity and network delay in high-speed networks.

Mathematical and Computer Modelling

"In many places there is deep underlying discontent with governments which are not responsive to the people who elected them," she said.

The New York Times

"People are not responsive to you asking them to save the planet.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not responsive", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is failing to respond to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "are not responsive" in contexts where a more specific term like "unreachable" or "uninterested" would be more appropriate. Choose the word that best conveys the intended nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not responsive" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a state of lacking reaction or engagement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not responsive" is a versatile and frequently used adjective phrase that describes a lack of reaction or engagement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, particularly in scientific, academic, and news-related writing. While alternatives like ""are unresponsive"" exist, "are not responsive" offers a clear and direct way to convey the intended meaning. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying what the subject is not responding to, and avoid overgeneralization by choosing more specific terms when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unresponsive

A direct synonym, replacing the negative construction with a single adjective.

fail to respond

Emphasizes the failure to provide a response, highlighting the lack of action.

do not react

Focuses on the lack of a reaction to a specific stimulus or event, rather than a general state of responsiveness.

don't answer

Specifically refers to a lack of reply in a communication context.

are not reactive

Implies a lack of reaction to changes or external factors, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

do not acknowledge

Highlights the lack of recognition or acceptance of something.

remain indifferent

Suggests a lack of interest or concern, implying a conscious decision not to respond.

are not affected

Focuses on the absence of impact or influence, rather than a lack of response.

are impervious to

Indicates that something is not affected or influenced by something else; suggests resilience or resistance.

turn a deaf ear

An idiomatic expression for ignoring or refusing to listen to a request or plea.

FAQs

How can I use "are not responsive" in a sentence?

You can use "are not responsive" to describe a lack of reaction or engagement, for example, "The patients "are not responsive" to the treatment" or "The government "are not responsive" to the citizens' needs".

What are some alternatives to "are not responsive"?

Alternatives include "are unresponsive", "do not react", or "fail to respond". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "are unresponsive" or "are not responsive"?

Both "are unresponsive" and "are not responsive" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Are unresponsive" is slightly more concise, while "are not responsive" might be preferred for emphasis or in certain formal contexts.

What does it mean when someone or something is described as "are not responsive"?

It means that they or it is not reacting or engaging in a way that is expected or desired. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a medical condition, lack of interest, or technical malfunction.