has been inactive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been inactive' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or thing that has not taken action for a period of time; for example, "The political party has been inactive since the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He has been inactive in recent weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

He has been inactive for the last three games.

The New York Times - Sports

The account has been inactive since those tweets in April.

The Guardian

The body has been inactive for six years.

The Economist

The account has been inactive since December 2010, he's tweeted only four times in two years.

The Guardian - Film

It is not that the city has been inactive in helping to create or maintain single-room-occupancy housing units.

The New York Times

His backup, Scott Hairston, has been inactive for several weeks with a strained oblique.

The New York Times - Sports

The rookie Bilal Powell, who has been inactive all season, will replace Tomlinson.

The New York Times - Sports

Bernardo Harris, a free-agent pickup who has been inactive the last two weeks, will replace Lewis.

The New York Times - Sports

The site has been inactive since last Friday, but Mr. Baron promised to return this Monday with an interim host.

The New York Times - Arts

"The F.T.C. has been inactive on this front and has failed to present meaningful regulation on this," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been inactive", ensure the context clearly indicates the period and reason for inactivity. For example, specify "The project has been inactive since last year due to funding issues".

Common error

Avoid using "has been inactive" without specifying the duration or context. Saying "The account has been inactive" is less informative than "The account has been inactive for six months due to a change in management".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been inactive" primarily functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating a state of not being active. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. It modifies a noun, describing its condition of dormancy or cessation of activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been inactive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as verified by Ludwig. It serves to describe something that was once active but is no longer so, covering a wide range of subjects from sports players to scientific phenomena. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, particularly in news, science, and general contexts. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide clear context regarding the timeframe and reasons for the inactivity to maintain clarity and impact. Overall, "has been inactive" is a reliable and versatile phrase for conveying a state of dormancy or cessation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has not been active

Simple rephrasing using "not active" to convey inactivity.

has been dormant

Uses "dormant" to suggest a temporary period of inactivity, implying potential for future activity.

has ceased functioning

Focuses on the cessation of function, suitable for describing machinery or organizations.

has stopped operating

Emphasizes the halt of operations, applicable to businesses or equipment.

has been suspended

Indicates a temporary halt, often due to external factors or decisions.

has been out of service

Specifically refers to a period when something is not available for use, like equipment or a service.

has gone offline

Implies a disconnection from a network or system, common in digital contexts.

has lapsed into inactivity

Suggests a gradual decline into a state of being inactive.

has become non-operational

Formal way of saying something is no longer working or active.

has been mothballed

Describes putting something into storage and a state of disuse, often with the intention of future reactivation.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been inactive" to describe anything that has ceased activity for a period of time. For example, "The volcano "has been dormant" for centuries", or "The user account "has been silent" since 2020".

What are some alternatives to "has been inactive"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "has not been active", "has been dormant", or "has ceased functioning". The best choice depends on what is inactive and why.

Is it better to say "has been inactive" or "is inactive"?

Saying "has been inactive" implies a change of state from active to inactive, suggesting it was once active and now is not. "Is inactive" simply states the current state without implying a past change. The better choice relies entirely on the context.

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

"Has been inactive" typically refers to a period up to the present moment, while "was inactive" refers to a completed period in the past. For example, "The project has been inactive since last year" implies it's still inactive, whereas "The project was inactive last year" does not necessarily mean it's still inactive now.