inactive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'inactive' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is not active. For example, "The student went from being an active member of the club to being inactive due to personal commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One problem that can follow transplant surgery is the unexpected reawakening of viruses that have lurked inactive in the patient or donor for years.

The Guardian

Spain no longer appears to be actively seeking the return of inactive Eta members who may be in Cuba.

The Guardian

The founder of Moms Demand Action, Shannon Watts, pointed out the irony that one of the venues being used by the NRA for country music concerts this weekend has banned the public from bringing in any guns, while guns on sale in the main exhibition halls must be rendered inactive as a condition of display.

The Guardian

Such a rise is probably statistical noise, but it could also be evidence of greater optimism about the chances of gaining work, and a return to the labour market by marginally inactive people".

The Guardian - Business

However, in what might now be seen as an indication that Bachmann was on the way out, the caucus has effectively been inactive for the past several months.

The Guardian

It is not just Bin Laden who has been killed or rendered inactive, but pretty much everyone else in the senior and middle ranks of the organisation.

The Guardian

We are also going to take forward negotiations with European partners to explore…...whether we can make economically inactive migrants the responsibility of their home country before they gain any eligibility for UK benefits.

The Guardian

Research in Boston shows that the obese, the inactive and those with a history of heart problems are likely to be in greater danger of a heart attack in the 24 hours after a bad-air day.

The Guardian

The Office for National Statistics said a fall in unemployment continued and the number of economically inactive people aged from 16 to 64 "continue the general direction of movement over the past two years".

The Guardian

At a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston this week, Dr Davy unveiled the results of a year-long follow-up study that confirms and expands that finding.The researchers divided 48 inactive Americans, aged 55 to 75, into two groups.

The Economist

Along with many right-wing critics of the "dependency culture", he thinks that means-tested benefits are morally bad, "discouraging self-help, taxing honesty, rewarding claimants for being either inactive or deceitful".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, use "inactive" to clearly indicate a phase where no operations are being performed.

Common error

Avoid using "inactive" when "inert" is more appropriate. "Inactive" implies a temporary state of non-operation, while "inert" suggests a lack of ability to react or engage chemically.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inactive" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of not being active, either temporarily or permanently. As supported by Ludwig, the term is correctly and widely used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "inactive" functions as an adjective that describes something not currently active. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly appears in contexts related to News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When writing, be sure not to confuse "inactive" with "inert". Synonyms like "dormant", "idle", and "passive" can be used as alternatives, though context is key. Overall, "inactive" is a versatile term for describing temporary or permanent states of non-activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dormant

Suggests a temporary suspension of activity, implying potential for future activation.

non-operational

Emphasizes the inability to function or operate, typically due to malfunction or disrepair.

out of service

Highlights that something is temporarily or permanently unavailable for use.

inoperative

Indicates a state of being not in operation or not producing the intended effect.

idle

Suggests a state of inactivity, often implying a lack of purpose or use.

passive

Describes a state of not actively participating or responding.

stagnant

Implies a lack of progress or development due to inactivity.

motionless

Focuses on the absence of movement or activity.

unresponsive

Indicates a failure to react or respond to stimuli.

latent

Describes something that exists but is not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed.

FAQs

How can I use "inactive" in a sentence?

You can use "inactive" to describe something not currently active, like "The volcano is "dormant" but not "extinct", it is just currently inactive".

What are some synonyms for "inactive"?

Some synonyms for "inactive" include "dormant", "idle", "passive", and "non-operational" depending on the specific context.

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

"Inactive" generally means not currently active, while "dormant" implies a temporary suspension of activity with the potential for future reactivation.

When is it appropriate to use "inactive" versus "lazy"?

Use "inactive" to describe something not functioning or temporarily stopped, while "lazy" is used to describe someone unwilling to work or use energy.