Cool MateActive vs The investigation is ongoing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Active
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
The investigation is ongoing
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Active
| Active | The investigation is ongoing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈæktɪv/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæktɪv/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈəʊnˌɡəʊɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈoʊnˌɡoʊɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Doing things and not being lazy. | The inquiry is still happening. |
| Example | She leads an active lifestyle by jogging every morning. | The investigation is ongoing, and we expect updates soon. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, become, keep (somebody), extremely, fairly, very, against, in, be, become, keep (somebody), extremely, fairly, very, against, in, be, become, keep (somebody), extremely, fairly, very, against, in, be, become, keep (somebody), extremely, fairly, very, against, in | ongoing investigation, ongoing process, ongoing research, ongoing support, ongoing debate |
| Antonyms | inactive, passive, dormant | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'act' or 'action', Using 'active' to describe only physical activity, Failing to apply it to mental or social engagement | Confusing 'ongoing' with 'on-going' (the latter is less common), Using 'ongoing' in very formal documents where more complex language is preferred, Mispronouncing 'ongoing' as two separate words |
| Usage notes | Use 'active' to describe someone who exercises or participates in activities. It's appropriate in both casual conversations and formal writing. Avoid using it when referring to something that is static or inactive. | Use when discussing processes that are not yet completed. It is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Active vs The investigation is ongoing
What's the difference between Active and The investigation is ongoing?
Active: Doing things and not being lazy. The investigation is ongoing: The inquiry is still happening.
Which is more common: Active and The investigation is ongoing?
Active is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Active: She leads an active lifestyle by jogging every morning. The investigation is ongoing: The investigation is ongoing, and we expect updates soon.
Can I use Active and The investigation is ongoing interchangeably?
Not always. Active and The investigation is ongoing are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.