they were inactive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were inactive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of not being active or engaged in any activity. Example: "During the meeting, they were inactive, contributing little to the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But after the Cambodian arrests he conceded that Jemaah Islamiyah does have members in Thailand, though he said they were inactive.

The New York Times

Several size mutants exhibited the two biologically relevant activities of integrase in reactions with Mn2+, although they were inactive with Mg2+.

Virology

These compounds appear to inhibit virus entry at early steps in viral infection since they were inactive if added post viral entry.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

All compounds exhibited significant antiproliferative properties on MCF-7 cells but they were inactive against hormone independent, ER negative MDA-MB-231 cells.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Most of the reported derivatives inhibited CA XII in the nanomolar/low micromolar range, hCA IX with KIs ranging between 11 and 390 nM, whereas they were inactive against both CA I (KIs >50 μM) and II (KIs ranging between 39.1 nM and 50 μM).

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Unfortunately, they were inactive against all test cells (Electronic supplementary material, Table S1).

Natural Products and Bioprospecting

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Or they're inactive, but they'd like to work.

Cornell University

"If they are inactive," she continued, "they risk developing other chronic diseases".

The New York Times

Do players that do not dress receive less than their contract salary if they are inactive for a game?

The Washington Post

Analysis of the genes for proteins in seminal fluid, associated with sperm competition in apes, have revealed that they are inactive in orangutans.

The Guardian

Forget obesity genes: these people are fat, the report says, because they are inactive and eat too much.Yet not as inactive as all that.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a group's lack of physical activity, specify the context, such as "they were inactive during the meeting" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were inactive" without specifying the timeframe or situation. Provide details to clarify when and why they were not active to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were inactive" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a state of inactivity or a lack of engagement from a group. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

80%

News & Media

16%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were inactive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a state of inactivity or lack of engagement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts. While the register is typically neutral, the level of formality can vary slightly based on the source. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity in communication. Alternatives such as "they were dormant", "they were idle", or "they were passive" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were dormant

Suggests a temporary state of inactivity, like a seed waiting to sprout.

they were idle

Implies a lack of activity, often due to a lack of purpose or opportunity.

they were non-operational

Indicates a temporary cessation of operation or functionality.

they were not functioning

Highlights a failure to perform a specific function.

they were not working

A general term indicating a state of being broken or not in service.

they were out of service

Suggests a temporary suspension of availability or use.

they were suspended

Describes a temporary cessation of activity, often due to external factors.

they were passive

Indicates a lack of active participation or resistance.

they were still

Implies a complete absence of movement or activity.

they were stagnant

Suggests a lack of progress or development due to inactivity.

FAQs

How can I use "they were inactive" in a sentence?

You can use "they were inactive" to describe a group's lack of participation or activity. For instance, "During the experiment, "they were inactive" and did not respond to the stimulus."

What's a good alternative to "they were inactive"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "they were dormant", "they were idle", or "they were passive".

Is "they were inactive" formal or informal?

"They were inactive" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and overall tone of the writing.

What does "they were inactive" imply?

It implies a state of not being active or engaged. The specific meaning can vary based on the context, such as describing physical inactivity, lack of participation, or a state of dormancy.