Cool MateAlive vs He's still not dead
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Alive
High-frequency chunkA2adjective
He's still not dead
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Alive
| Alive | He's still not dead | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈlaɪv/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈlaɪv/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hiːz stɪl nɒt dɛd//🇺🇸 //hiz stɪl nɑt dɛd// |
| Meaning | Living, not dead. | He is still alive. |
| Example | The plant is still alive after all these years. | After the accident, everyone thought he was gone, but he's still not dead. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | High-frequency chunk | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, remain, very much, barely, only half, alive and kicking, alive and well, dead or alive, be, feel, seem, really, truly, very, with, be, remain, keep something, very much, alive and well, be, feel, seem, really, truly, very, with, be, become, remain, very much, to | still alive, not dead yet, still kicking |
| Antonyms | dead, unconscious, inanimate | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'live' as a verb., Using 'alive' in contexts where 'living' is more appropriate., Confusing it with 'alive' in the sense of being aware or fresh. | Improper use of 'not dead' in positive contexts., Confused with expressions of loss or mourning., Overly formal use in casual conversations. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe something or someone that has life. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though in very casual speech, it might take on a more emotional connotation, especially when referring to safety or survival. | Used to express surprise or disbelief that someone is alive after expecting them to be dead. It's often conversational, suitable for everyday contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Alive vs He's still not dead
What's the difference between Alive and He's still not dead?
Alive: Living, not dead. He's still not dead: He is still alive.
Which is more common: Alive and He's still not dead?
Alive is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Alive: The plant is still alive after all these years. He's still not dead: After the accident, everyone thought he was gone, but he's still not dead.
Can I use Alive and He's still not dead interchangeably?
Not always. Alive and He's still not dead 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.