has been passive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been passive" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe an individual who is not taking action or engaging in activities of any kind. For example, "John has been passive since he retired last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He has been passive in the face of recent setbacks.

The Economist

It has been passive and so Europe attempts to fill the vacuum.

The Guardian - Tech

But on most other environmental issues, Obama has been passive, silent or dismissive.

The New York Times

Mitt Romney thinks Obama has been "passive" with the Islamists; aid could be slashed.

The New York Times

Ever since his much-criticized remarks about rural folk "clinging to" guns and God — seen as patronizing liberal snobbery — Obama has been passive (his word) on the gun issue.

The New York Times

Crépeau's comments follow a joint report from rights-focused non-government organisations HRW and the HRLC, "Australia at the Human Rights Council: Ready for a Leadership Role?", that argues Australia's approach to human rights "too often has been passive and, of greater concern... at times... inconsistent and unprincipled".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

So far, the Yankees have been passive about Teixeira.

The New York Times - Sports

India may have been passive after the Mumbai attacks.

The New York Times

The Yankees, meanwhile, have been passive in their approach to Glavine.

The New York Times - Sports

China and Europe have been passive, not assuming the leadership that one would expect from true world leaders.

The New York Times

Pentagon officials said Syrian radar had been "passive" during the air raids.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been passive", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject should have been doing. This provides a stronger impact and clarifies the expectation of action.

Common error

Avoid using "has been passive" when the subject's inactivity is justified or expected. Passivity implies a deviation from an expected or desired level of engagement. For example, avoid saying "the rock has been passive" since rocks don't typically do anything.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been passive" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of inactivity or lack of engagement that started in the past and may continue into the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been passive" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a state of inactivity or lack of engagement. Ludwig AI highlights its acceptance across diverse sources, predominantly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes an expectation of activity and that its absence is noteworthy. Alternatives such as "remained inactive" or "stayed dormant" can offer subtle nuances in meaning. Avoid using "has been passive" when the subject's inactivity is reasonable. Overall, "has been passive" is a useful and recognized phrase for conveying a specific kind of inaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained inactive

This suggests a state of non-activity after a period of potential activity.

stayed dormant

Implies a temporary suspension of activity, like a seed waiting to sprout.

took a backseat

Indicates a deliberate choice to reduce involvement or influence.

did not participate

Focuses on the absence of involvement in a specific event or activity.

remained uninvolved

Emphasizes a lack of connection or engagement with a situation.

was not proactive

Highlights the absence of initiative or forward-thinking action.

failed to act

Points to a missed opportunity or a failure to take necessary action.

stood idly by

Suggests a passive observation of something happening, often with negative implications.

maintained neutrality

Implies a conscious decision to avoid taking sides or getting involved.

held back

Suggests restraint or reluctance to participate fully.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been passive" to describe someone or something that has not been actively involved or engaged in a situation. For example, "The government "has been passive" in addressing the climate crisis."

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

Some alternatives to "has been passive" include "remained inactive", "stayed dormant", or "took a backseat", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "has been passive"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "has been passive". It uses the present perfect tense of "to be" with the adjective "passive" to describe a state of being.

What is the difference between "has been passive" and "is passive"?

"Has been passive" implies a state that started in the past and continues to the present, while "is passive" describes a current state. For example, "he has been passive since the accident" indicates a change, whereas "he is passive" describes his general disposition.