What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
irresponsive
Example
The patient was irresponsive to the doctor's questions. [irresponsive: adjective]
Example
The audience was irresponsive to the comedian's jokes. [irresponsive: adjective]
passive
Example
She was passive in the face of her boss's criticism. [passive: adjective]
Example
The government's response was passive, and they did not take any action. [passive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Passive is more commonly used than irresponsive in everyday language. Passive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while irresponsive is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between irresponsive and passive?
Both irresponsive and passive can be used in formal and informal contexts, but passive is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels.
