has been dormant

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been dormant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been inactive or neglected for a long time. For example, "The volcano has been dormant for centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That program has been dormant lately.

The New York Times

The volcano has been dormant since 1687.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The commission has been dormant since.

The Washington Post

"It's a long list that has been dormant," Grijalva said.

The Washington Post

SEPARATISM in Quebec has been dormant for years.

The Economist

But his game has been dormant for a while"...

The New York Times - Sports

Since appearing as the scene-stealing Kramer in Seinfeld, Richards' career has been dormant.

The Guardian

In recent years his film activity has been dormant because of his health problems.

The New York Times

But the process has been dormant in recent years, and Hamas rejects the two-state solution it envisions.

The Washington Post

Crossroads has been dormant since the 2000-2001 season, which it canceled because of a $2 million debt.

The New York Times

Cone will use that guile to try to resurrect a career that has been dormant for a year.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been dormant" to describe something that was once active or prominent but is currently inactive or in a state of rest. This phrase is particularly effective when implying the possibility of future reactivation or resurgence.

Common error

Avoid using "has been dormant" to describe something that has permanently ceased to exist or function. The term implies a potential for future activity, so it's inappropriate for situations where revival is impossible. For something permanently stopped, use phrases like "has ceased", "has been discontinued", or "is defunct" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been dormant" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a condition or state of being inactive or suspended. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase to describe something that was once active but currently isn't.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been dormant" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe something that is temporarily inactive. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. Its strength lies in suggesting a prior state of activity and a potential for future revival. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, but also in encyclopedias and scientific literature. When using this phrase, consider whether you want to emphasize the potential for future activity or simply state a current lack of activity. Alternatives like "has been inactive" or "has lain dormant" may be more appropriate depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has lain dormant

Emphasizes the act of lying in a dormant state, often suggesting a long period of inactivity.

has been inactive

Focuses on the lack of activity without necessarily implying a prior state of action.

has been latent

Emphasizes the potential for future activity, suggesting that the dormancy is temporary.

has been quiescent

Highlights a state of peaceful inactivity, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

has been idle

Implies a state of being unused or unemployed, often referring to machinery or resources.

has been unrealized

Indicates that something has not come to fruition or been brought into being.

has been passive

Highlights a lack of active involvement or resistance.

has been unused

Focuses on the absence of utilization, suitable for resources or opportunities.

has been sleeping

Uses a metaphorical comparison to sleep, suggesting a temporary state of inactivity.

has been smouldering

Suggests that something is inactive on the surface but still retains a potential for activity.

FAQs

How can I use "has been dormant" in a sentence?

You can use "has been dormant" to describe something that is temporarily inactive. For example, "The peace process "has been dormant" since the last negotiations failed".

What are some alternatives to saying "has been dormant"?

Alternatives include "has been inactive", "has been latent", or "has lain dormant". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "is dormant" or "has been dormant"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "has been dormant" implies a state of inactivity that began at some point in the past and continues to the present. "Is dormant" suggests a current state without specifying when it began.

What's the difference between "has been dormant" and "has been inactive"?

"Has been dormant" often suggests a potential for future activity or revival, whereas "has been inactive" simply indicates a lack of current activity without necessarily implying future reactivation.