it was unresponsive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was unresponsive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something did not react or respond as expected, such as a device, person, or system. Example: "When I tried to open the application, it was unresponsive, and I had to restart my computer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Other times, it was unresponsive".

The New York Times

The report was especially critical of the government, saying that it was unresponsive, that the courts were politicized and that a lack of respect for human rights and the rule of law gave thugs impunity.

The New York Times

The trackpad tracked just fine, although I found that the bottom 10% of it was unresponsive to touch.

TechCrunch

Democratic areas were more upbeat: 72% of Bay Area residents described government as responsive and only 20% felt it was unresponsive.

Los Angeles Times

"I had been thinking last year about how we present our news, and I felt it was unresponsive to our prime age group between 12 and 34 years old," Kerby said.

Los Angeles Times

Although the ab3A neuron in the wild type flies responded to picaridin, it was unresponsive to DEET and IR3535.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Others have said that it is unresponsive to some touchscreen input.

The Guardian - Tech

"Whatever is going on with these patients," he said, "if it is unresponsive to antibiotics, it is unlikely that it is untreated Lyme disease".

The New York Times

Her parents reported that the child, who had undergone cardiac surgery, was sitting in her swing chair and was "fussy" at 7 50 a.m., the F.D.A. form says. "When the parents rechecked her at 8 a.m., the infant was unresponsive," it reads.

The New York Times

She was unresponsive, and it appeared as if she could pass at any moment.

Huffington Post

This is interesting because it was considered that DMS was unresponsive to any medications [ 20].

European Journal of Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues with devices or software, use "it was unresponsive" to clearly communicate a failure to react to user input. For example, "The touchscreen was unresponsive, requiring a restart."

Common error

Avoid using "it was unresponsive" when the problem is slow response time rather than a complete lack of response. If the system eventually reacts, describe it as "slow" or "lagging" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was unresponsive" typically functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a lack of reaction or response from a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples in Ludwig show it describing devices, systems, or even individuals failing to react.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was unresponsive" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe a lack of reaction or response. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples show its application across various contexts, from technical malfunctions to medical conditions. While primarily neutral in register, it appears most frequently in news and media sources. When writing, avoid confusing unresponsiveness with slow response times. Consider alternative phrases like "it did not respond" or "it failed to react" for nuanced variations. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's usage, common errors, and appropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it did not respond

A more direct and straightforward way of saying something didn't react.

it failed to react

Emphasizes a complete lack of reaction or response to a stimulus.

it showed no response

Highlights the absence of any observable reaction.

it gave no indication

Focuses on the lack of any sign or signal of a reaction.

it remained inactive

Suggests a state of dormancy or lack of activity.

it did not acknowledge

Implies a failure to recognize or take notice of something.

it was inert

A more formal way of saying something is inactive and lacks the ability to react.

it offered no feedback

Specific to situations where feedback is expected, indicating a lack of communication.

it was insensitive

Highlights a lack of sensitivity or responsiveness to stimuli.

it ignored the input

Focuses on the act of disregarding or not processing provided input.

FAQs

What does "it was unresponsive" mean?

The phrase "it was unresponsive" means that something did not react or respond to a stimulus or input. This could refer to a device, a person, or a system.

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

You can use "it was unresponsive" to describe a situation where something failed to react as expected. For example: "When I touched the screen, "it was unresponsive"."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was unresponsive"?

Alternatives include "it did not respond", "it failed to react", or "it showed no response" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it is unresponsive"?

Yes, "it is unresponsive" is grammatically correct. The choice between "it was unresponsive" and "it is unresponsive" depends on the tense you want to convey. "It was unresponsive" refers to a past event, while "it is unresponsive" refers to a current state.