was still inactive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was still inactive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being where something or someone has not yet become active or engaged, despite the passage of time. Example: "Despite the efforts to motivate the team, the project was still inactive weeks after the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In this case Eno1p had a k cat of 8 s−1 but Eno2p was still inactive, and the activity of Eno1p alone was not enough to explain the flux.

FEBS Letters

In this case, virus particles and liposomes were sometimes found close to each other but with no apparent deformation of the liposome, suggesting that the majority of HA on the virus surface was still inactive.

EMBO Journal

In the phase of stem when the process of nitrogen fixation was still inactive, differences in NFA of nodules of alfalfa plants inoculated by mono- or binary bacterial complexes were not significant.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"A number of travellers infected with Zika have entered Europe, but the disease has not been transmitted further, as the mosquito is still inactive.

Independent

Subsequently, a pre-formed U4/U6-U5 tri-snRNP integratedted, giving rise to the pre-catalytic complex B spliceosome, which is still inactive.

Plosone

At the beginning of each experiment (0800 h GTM), when females were still inactive, we took a paper strip from each of the two males from a given pair (one C-male and one S-male matched in size; see above) and fixed their strips on alternate ends of the female's terraria (side was chosen randomly).

Plosone

In this study, the sperm content of ∼45% of females was found to be still inactive 24 hr after mating.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Given that Src is still inactive in this state, this would suggest that RhoGD12 expression has a positive relationship with Src inactivity and not Src activity as previously reported.

British Journal of Cancer

Despite the knowledge that exercise may prevent chronic disease and promote health among older adults, many still are inactive.

Physiology & Behavior

Although Woods has been inactive, he has still endured an eventful few months, slipping to number 21 in the rankings and splitting with caddie Steve Williams.

Independent

After 1973, she was almost inactive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was still inactive", ensure the context clearly establishes a timeframe or expectation for activity. For example, specify how long something "was still inactive" to provide a clearer understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "was still inactive" without specifying a relevant timeframe. Readers might misinterpret the significance of the inactivity if the duration or expected activity period isn't clear. Always provide context to clarify the extent of the inactivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was still inactive" functions as a descriptive statement indicating a state of continued inactivity at a specific time. It's commonly used to describe enzymes, processes, or even organizations that haven't yet begun functioning as expected. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was still inactive" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's used to describe a state of continued inactivity at a specific point in time, often highlighting a delay or unmet expectation. While most frequent in scientific and news-related contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of audiences. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the timeframe of inactivity. Consider alternatives like "remained dormant" or "continued to be idle" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained dormant

Emphasizes a state of rest or suspended activity over a period.

continued to be idle

Highlights the lack of activity or productivity.

had not yet activated

Focuses on the absence of an activation event.

persisted in being passive

Stresses the ongoing nature of passivity.

had not become operative

Indicates a failure to reach an operational state.

was yet to be functioning

Highlights that something hadn't started working yet.

sustained its inactivity

Emphasizes the maintained state of being inactive.

was still non-operational

Highlights the lack of operational status.

stayed in abeyance

Implies a temporary state of suspension or inactivity.

endured as latent

Focuses on the hidden or undeveloped nature of something inactive.

FAQs

How can I use "was still inactive" in a sentence?

You can use "was still inactive" to describe something that hadn't yet become active despite a certain expectation or time frame. For example, "The project "was still inactive" weeks after the initial deadline".

What are some alternatives to "was still inactive"?

Alternatives include phrases like "remained dormant", "continued to be idle", or "had not yet activated", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was still inactive"?

Yes, the phrase "was still inactive" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules, using the past tense of "to be" with an adverb and an adjective.

What does "was still inactive" imply?

The phrase "was still inactive" implies that something was expected to be active or in a different state, but it hadn't changed its status by a certain point in time. It highlights a lack of progress or expected behavior.