be unresponsive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be unresponsive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is not replying or reacting to communication or stimuli. Example: "During the meeting, he seemed to be unresponsive to the questions being asked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

People will be unresponsive to him at their peril".

The New York Times

My mood would darken until, by Saturday afternoon, I'd be unresponsive and morose.

The New York Times - Magazine

But she found producers at ABC to be unresponsive to her ideas, calling it a "slow and messy process".

The New York Times

With his liberal taste for the off-trail and not-overly-trammelled, one might have thought he would be unresponsive to so ruly, subjugated a landscape.

The New Yorker

In those days, the Internet was widely unregulated; when Crimmins tried to alert AOL he found the company to be unresponsive.

The New Yorker

But while homo economicus may be unresponsive to calls for sacrifice for the common good, the plain fact is that many people find such calls compelling.

The New York Times

The police said that Mr. Green was charged because he was alone with the child when she was found to be unresponsive.

The New York Times

In explaining his motives for a citizen investigation, Wu Hao, an official in Yunnan's propaganda department, said he was hoping to restore the public's faith in a government that could be unresponsive and at times hostile to accusations of misconduct.

The New York Times

Many cancer patients receive chemotherapy at the end of life, even if their kind of cancer is known to be unresponsive to the drugs, according to a study reported here today.

The New York Times

The RAF Typhoons were launched from Amari air base in Estonia on Thursday afternoon when the Russian military transport aircraft did not transmit a recognised identification code and appeared to be unresponsive.

The Guardian

One problem in socializing pit bulls is that they tend to be unresponsive to the submissive signals of other dogs, and give little or no warning before attacking, said Stephen Musso, senior vice president of behavioral medicine at the A.S.P.C.A.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be unresponsive" in medical or technical contexts, ensure clarity by specifying what stimulus the subject is unresponsive to. For example, "The patient was unresponsive to verbal commands."

Common error

Avoid using "be unresponsive" too broadly. Instead of saying "The system is unresponsive", specify what aspect of the system is not responding (e.g., "The user interface is unresponsive to mouse clicks").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be unresponsive" functions primarily as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes a state of lacking response or reaction to a stimulus. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in diverse contexts, from medical conditions to system behaviors, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

57%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be unresponsive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes a lack of reaction or response. It appears most often in scientific and news contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various applications. To improve your writing, be specific about what stimulus the subject is unresponsive to and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "fail to respond" or "remain silent" can provide nuanced variations. Understanding these elements will help you use "be unresponsive" effectively and precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to respond

Emphasizes the act of not replying or reacting.

remain silent

Focuses on the absence of verbal response.

not react

Highlights the absence of any reaction to a stimulus.

become inert

Suggests a state of inactivity or lack of response, often in a physical sense.

show no reaction

Similar to "not react" but provides a slightly more descriptive nuance.

be indifferent

Indicates a lack of concern or interest, leading to no response.

be apathetic

Implies a lack of emotion or motivation, resulting in unresponsiveness.

give no indication

Focuses on the absence of any sign or signal of a response.

prove unreceptive

Emphasizes a closed-off or unwilling attitude toward receiving information or stimuli.

offer no acknowledgement

Highlights the lack of recognition or acceptance, leading to no response.

FAQs

How can I use "be unresponsive" in a sentence?

You can use "be unresponsive" to describe a lack of reaction or response to something. For example, "The patient appeared to "be unresponsive" to the medication" or "The government seemed to "be unresponsive" to the needs of its citizens".

What are some alternatives to saying "be unresponsive"?

Alternatives include "fail to respond", "remain silent", or "not react", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "is unresponsive" or "remains unresponsive"?

Both are grammatically correct. "Is unresponsive" describes a current state, while "remains unresponsive" suggests a continued state of unresponsiveness over a period of time.

What does it mean when someone is described as "unresponsive" in a medical context?

In a medical setting, "unresponsive" typically means that a patient is not reacting to stimuli, such as touch or sound, and may indicate a serious medical condition. It is similar to saying the patient "fails to respond".