it was inactive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was inactive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state or condition where something was not functioning or not in use at a particular time. Example: "The device was supposed to be operational, but it was inactive during the entire test."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

A similar observation was made for 4-methylphenol at the ab1D neuron: its activity was uncertain in the training data (22 spikes/s), but it was inactive in test data (5 spikes/s).

Chemistry Central Journal

It was inactive," Goode said in a statement.

The Guardian

Cross-linked EF-G retained GTPase activity on the ribosome, whereas it was inactive in translocation as well as in turnover.

Molecular Cell

He stated that Willie 'seemed normal to me.' How the jury might infer from the prosecutor's question that Willie had a mental disease but it was inactive at the time of the murder is beyond me.

Cornell University

It was inactive for nearly a year, but now, the cable's state is what is called "hot standby" -- that is, it is ready to carry power -- said Rita Bowlby, a spokeswoman for the Cross-Sound Cable Compartnershiptnership between TransÉnergie US and UIL Holdings.

The New York Times

Construction workers found the bomb and sold it, believing it was inactive.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It is inactive under visible light exposure due to its large bandgap energy [88].

Nano-Micro Letters

It is inactive until bound to a DNA strand break via its zinc finger DNA-binding domain.

Breast Cancer Research

But it is inactive these days.

The Economist

It is inactive, but it can be reactivated later in life.

Harvard University

There's also a David Manning Web site, but it seems like it's inactive at this point.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a technical device or system, use "it was inactive" to clearly indicate that it was not functioning, even if it was still powered on.

Common error

Avoid using "it was inactive" when you actually mean "it was broken". "Inactive" suggests a temporary or intentional state of non-use, while "broken" indicates damage or malfunction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was inactive" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a past state where something was not in operation or use. Ludwig AI provides examples showing this usage across various contexts, confirming its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was inactive" correctly describes a past state of non-operation or non-use. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in science, news, and academic contexts. While it is not as common as some other phrases, it serves a clear descriptive purpose, informing the audience about the state of something in the past. When choosing a substitute, consider alternatives like "it was dormant" or "it was inoperative" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ensure you don't confuse "it was inactive" with "it was broken", as they have distinct meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was dormant

Emphasizes a state of being temporarily suspended or not actively functioning.

it was non-functional

Highlights the inability to perform its intended function.

it was inoperative

Focuses on the cessation of operation or activity.

it was out of service

Suggests a temporary removal from active duty or use.

it was disabled

Implies that the capacity to function has been turned off or made unavailable.

it was offline

Indicates a disconnection from a network or system.

it was idle

Implies a state of not being in use or actively working.

it was shut down

Highlights the process of ceasing operations or activity, often intentionally.

it was deactivated

Focuses on the action of rendering something no longer active.

it was unresponsive

Emphasizes the lack of reaction or response to stimuli.

FAQs

How can I use "it was inactive" in a sentence?

You can use "it was inactive" to describe something that is not currently functioning or in use. For example, "The feature "it was inactive", even though the system was running".

What can I say instead of "it was inactive"?

You can use alternatives like "it was dormant", "it was inoperative", or "it was idle" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was inactive" or "it is inactive"?

Both are correct, but they refer to different timeframes. "It was inactive" refers to something that was not active in the past, while "it is inactive" refers to something that is not active currently.

What's the difference between "it was inactive" and "it was broken"?

"It was inactive" suggests a state of non-use, either temporary or intentional, whereas "it was broken" implies that something is damaged or malfunctioning.