inactively

/ɪnˈæk.tɪv.li/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈæk.tɪv.li/ (ame, ipa) · /"+/ (ame, mw)

inactively — adverb

1. without taking any action, making any effort, or showing signs of movement — sta

1.副詞B2
釋義

without taking any action, making any effort, or showing signs of movement — staying still or simply doing nothing

例句

The Watanabe family's cat lay inactively on the sunny windowsill all afternoon.

collocation: lie / sit + inactively for position-related stillness

Mr. Okonkwo sat inactively on the park bench, watching birds hop across the grass.

inactively modifying a voluntary position (sat)

同義詞
  • idly

    focuses on doing nothing productive; 'idly' is more common in everyday speech

  • passively

    emphasises accepting what happens without resisting; 'passively' suggests a choice to not intervene

  • listlessly

    adds a feeling of low energy or lack of interest; 'listlessly' implies tiredness or boredom

反義詞
  • actively

    the direct opposite — with energy, effort, or involvement

  • vigorously

    with great strength or energy; a stronger opposite than 'actively'

文法句型

sit / stand / lie / wait + inactively

inactively modifies the verb (not the object)

用法筆記

Typically used with verbs describing positions or states (lie, sit, stand, wait) rather than dynamic actions. It often carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting wasted time or missed opportunity.

常見錯誤

❌He sat inactively in the meeting room waiting.
✅He sat inactively in the meeting room, waiting.
💡A comma helps separate the adverb phrase from a following participial clause.
❌She watched inactively TV all day.
✅She watched TV inactively all day.
💡'inactively' modifies the watching, not the object; place it after the verb or at the end of the clause.