reactive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reactive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a response or behavior that is triggered by external stimuli or events, often in a context where someone or something is responding rather than initiating action. Example: "In a crisis, a reactive approach may lead to hasty decisions that could have been avoided with better planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As the leader of a regional centre, Murray says he has learnt from hard experience that communities are becoming more reactive.

The Guardian

A proactive, not reactive, response was called for.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Petzl Nao USB-rechargeable reactive headtorch – which self-adjusts according to how far in the distance you're looking to save batteries – lit up the trail beautifully, until it ran out after five and a half hours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's a complete waste, this reactive approach that doesn't seem to achieve anything," Allanson said.

The Guardian

Beckers, who has also just been made chairman of Reactive Technologies, a company which offers customers ways of reducing energy use, says demand reduction can be a better way of handling an energy crunch: "Demand side management is much cheaper than building new CCGI [Combine Cycle Gas Turbine plants] or even more expensive ones like nuclear".

The Guardian - Business

With co-commissioning from clinical commissioning groups, an outcomes fund would enable central government to work with local areas, charities and social enterprises to develop approaches that work, but have not been adopted because of siloed budgets and reactive spending.

The Guardian

Reactive Technologies offers a cloud-based platform, Tradenergy, which controls how and when individual electric appliances, such as heating, air conditioning units and freezers consume energy across sites.

The Guardian

The New Zealand health system relies heavily on a private-public partnership between the broader health system and general practice, which is dominated by small to medium businesses that play a reactive role to patient demands outside the hospital system.

The Guardian

Dramatically, this proves vivid, but it also leaves us with a sense of the characters he plays as purely reactive, puppets of expression.

The Guardian - Film

Smartsocks, motion tracking underwear and light reactive jackets that glow the harder you train are in the pipeline.

The Guardian - Tech

Reactive Industries says it supports the legal challenge being mounted by Tempus Energy, which is taking the UK government to the European general court alleging that the new capacity market system violates state aid rules.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or strategies, use "reactive" to indicate a response-based approach, contrasting it with proactive methods. For instance, a "reactive" maintenance strategy addresses issues only after they arise.

Common error

Avoid using "reactive" when you mean "proactive". "Reactive" implies responding to a stimulus, while "proactive" suggests taking the initiative to prevent issues or create opportunities.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "reactive" primarily functions to describe something that responds to a stimulus or influence. Ludwig AI showcases its use across diverse fields, from science and technology to social commentary, emphasizing its role in highlighting responses rather than initiations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "reactive" is an adjective used to describe something that responds to a stimulus or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use spans across diverse contexts, including news, business, and science. It is grammatically correct and commonly used, although it should not be confused with "proactive", which means taking initiative rather than responding. When writing, consider the context to ensure "reactive" accurately conveys the intended meaning of responding to external events or stimuli. Be precise about whether something is truly "reactive" or merely "responsive", as the former implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Some of the authoritative sources are The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responsive

Emphasizes the capacity to readily respond to stimuli or influence.

responding

Focuses on the action of reacting to something.

susceptible

Highlights vulnerability to influence or effect.

impressionable

Stresses the ease with which someone or something is affected.

easily influenced

Directly states the capacity to be changed or persuaded.

pliable

Suggests adaptability and ease of being molded or directed.

receptive

Indicates openness and willingness to receive new information or influences.

amenable

Implies willingness to agree or accept something.

open to

Highlights a willingness to consider or be affected by something.

adaptive

Focuses on the ability to adjust to new conditions or circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "reactive" in a sentence?

You can use "reactive" to describe something that responds to a stimulus. For example, "The company adopted a "reactive approach" to customer complaints, addressing issues only after they were reported".

What's the difference between "reactive" and "responsive"?

"Reactive" implies acting in response to a stimulus, whereas "responsive" suggests a general ability to readily respond or react. "Reactive" focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship.

What are some alternatives to using the word "reactive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "responsive", "susceptible", or "impressionable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to be "reactive" or "proactive"?

It depends on the situation. Being "proactive" is generally preferred as it involves anticipating and preventing problems. However, a "reactive" approach may be necessary in situations where problems are unexpected or unavoidable.