not receptive

USAGE SUMMARY

"not receptive" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is unwilling to accept new ideas or feedback. Example: "She was not receptive to the suggestions made during the meeting." Alternative expressions include "unreceptive" and "closed off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Record labels were not receptive, though.

The New York Times - Arts

(The band was not receptive to this input).

The New Yorker

"And their attitudes are not receptive to us".

The New York Times

So I'm working with them, and them being not receptive to the fact that I play.

The New York Times - Arts

But they're also not receptive to any perceived limits on free expression.

The Guardian - Sport

"They seemed determined to miss the deadline, and they're not receptive.

The Guardian

He was not receptive to making these proposals central to his campaign.

The New Yorker

NASA was not receptive, she said, and "this set a stage for less effectiveness".

The New York Times

Voters hate property taxes, and politicians are nothing if not receptive to the whims of voters.

The New York Times

Mr. Jobs's lieutenants tried to warn him away from certain disaster, but he was not receptive.

The New York Times

She said Britain had "concerns on certain human rights areas" but added that Russia was not receptive to "moral lectures".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, use the phrase to describe biological states where a cell or organ is unable to respond to a specific stimulus.

Common error

Avoid using "not receptive" when you mean "not receiving". While "not receiving" refers to a physical failure to obtain something (like a radio signal or a package), "not receptive" refers to a lack of willingness or biological capacity to respond to it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not receptive" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It is typically used with a linking verb like "to be" to describe the state or attitude of a subject toward an external influence. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a standard and correct construction in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "not receptive" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase widely supported by Ludwig. It is most effective when describing a subject's lack of openness to external input, whether that subject is a politician, an organization or a biological cell. Its usage is particularly high in News & Media and Science, suggesting it is a reliable choice for professional writing. While synonyms like "unreceptive" or "not amenable" offer variations, the query phrase remains a staple for expressing a firm but nuanced rejection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreceptive

Provides a more concise, single-word adjective form with the exact same meaning.

not open to

Uses a simpler, more conversational structure to express a lack of willingness to consider ideas.

resistant to

Suggests a more active or forceful opposition rather than just a passive lack of interest.

closed off

An idiomatic expression often used to describe a person's emotional state or an organization's culture.

not amenable

A more formal alternative often used in legal, medical or professional contexts.

dismissive of

Implies that the subject is actively ignoring or devaluing the input provided.

deaf to

A metaphorical phrase suggesting a stubborn refusal to listen to advice or pleas.

hostile to

Indicates a much stronger, aggressive level of rejection or antagonism.

obdurate

A very formal and literary term implying a stubborn or hardened refusal to change one's mind.

impervious to

Suggests that the subject is completely unaffected or unable to be influenced by outside factors.

FAQs

How do I use "not receptive" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person or entity that won't listen, such as: "The committee was "not receptive" to the new proposal." It effectively describes a lack of openness.

What is the difference between "not receptive" and "unreceptive"?

There is no significant difference in meaning; both indicate a lack of openness. However, "unreceptive" is a single-word adjective, whereas "not receptive" uses a negation for emphasis.

Should I say "not receptive to" or "not receptive of"?

The most common and standard preposition to use is "to". While you might occasionally see "not receptive of" in specific literary or older contexts, "to" is the preferred choice in modern English.

What is a formal synonym for "not receptive"?

In a professional or legal setting, you might consider using "not amenable" or "resistant to" to convey a similar meaning with more precision.