not very active

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very active" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not engaging in much activity or is relatively inactive. Example: "During the winter months, the wildlife in the area tends to be not very active, making it harder to spot them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her family was not very active in tribal activities, yet Native American values, especially the importance of family, endured.

Science Magazine

Catalytic data showed that the catalyst was not very active after the first oxygen activation but after a reduction step there was a substantial increase in the catalyst activity.

Catalysis Today

For example, temozolomide, although relatively permeable, is not very active against breast cancer and has shown limited activity in the CNS [ 44– 44].

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

5 People with NCDs are often not very active and are recommended to increase their level of physical activity.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

This enzyme is not very active in vitro, but co-expression of the D gene increases the activity.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Even when intensity of activity is not considered, it is apparent that postmenopausal women are not very active.

BMC Public Health

"I am part of them … but they are not very active".

The Guardian

It was on the downgrade econimically & this branch of the bank was not very active.

The New Yorker

The slag is cold and not very active, and often there is no slag at all.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The women in Degas's pictures are scantily clad but not very active; what they do, mostly, is wait.

The New York Times - Arts

The program coordinator of the Land Trust Service Bureau, Linda Bowers, said that many land trusts were not very active in their early years and existed only to take donations and then care for the land in their trust.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, use "not very active" to indicate a state of reduced function or operation. For instance: "The enzyme is not very active at low temperatures."

Common error

Avoid overuse of "not very active" in constructions that create convoluted or unclear sentences. Instead of saying "The project was not very actively pursued by the team", consider a more direct construction like "The team did not actively pursue the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very active" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree to which something or someone is engaged in activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very active" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe a reduced level of activity or engagement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. Its frequency across various domains, including science, news, and business, indicates its broad applicability. While alternatives like "somewhat inactive" or "relatively passive" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. When using "not very active", avoid overuse in passive constructions to maintain clarity and directness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat inactive

Indicates a slight degree of inactivity, less intense than "not very active".

relatively passive

Focuses on a lack of participation or initiative.

less engaged

Highlights a reduced level of involvement or interest.

not particularly energetic

Emphasizes a lack of vigor or vitality.

moderately indolent

Suggests a tendency towards laziness or inactivity.

rather quiet

Implies a subdued or restrained demeanor, lacking outward activity.

not highly dynamic

Indicates a lack of change or progress.

subdued

Suggests a state of reduced intensity or animation.

lacking initiative

Highlights the absence of a proactive approach.

less vigorous

Implies a reduced level of strength or energy.

FAQs

How can I use "not very active" in a sentence?

You can use "not very active" to describe something or someone that is exhibiting a low level of activity or engagement. For example: "The market was "not very active" during the holiday season."

What are some alternatives to "not very active"?

Alternatives include "somewhat inactive", "relatively passive", or "less engaged", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "inactive" instead of "not very active"?

While "inactive" is more concise, "not very active" can sometimes convey a more nuanced meaning, suggesting a slight reduction in activity rather than complete inactivity. The choice depends on the desired level of precision and formality.

When is it appropriate to use "not very active" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "not very active" can be used to describe enzymes, chemical compounds, or other entities that exhibit a reduced level of activity under certain conditions. For instance, "The catalyst was "not very active" at room temperature."