The word “alive” seems simple, but many English learners use it incorrectly. Because it looks like an adjective, but sometimes behaves differently, mistakes are very common. In this post, we’ll look at the most frequent errors with “alive” and how to use it correctly in your speaking and writing.
Whether you’re preparing for exams like EIKEN, TOEIC, IELTS, or TOEFL, or just improving your everyday English, mastering “alive” will make you sound more natural.
1. Using Alive Before a Noun
❌ Wrong: He is an alive man.
✅ Correct: He is alive.
The word “alive” is not used directly before a noun. You cannot say “an alive man” or “an alive dog.” Instead, use it after the verb “be.”
- My grandfather is alive.
- The fish is still alive.
👉 If you want to put an adjective before a noun, use “living.”
- He is a living man.
- A living creature needs water.
2. Confusing Alive with Live
❌ Wrong: I feel live today.
✅ Correct: I feel alive today.
“Alive” means “not dead” or “full of energy.”
“Live” (adjective) usually means “broadcast in real time.”
- The concert is live on TV.
- I feel alive when I travel.
3. Forgetting Alive Needs a Verb
❌ Wrong: Alive people are here.
✅ Correct: People are alive here.
“Alive” usually follows a verb, most often “be,” “stay,” or “keep.”
- He is alive.
- They stayed alive during the storm.
- Keep the plants alive by watering them.
4. Using Alive for Abstract Things
❌ Wrong: The tradition is alive today.
✅ Correct: The tradition is still alive today.
We use “alive” not only for people and animals, but also for traditions, memories, hopes, and ideas. But be careful — you almost always need an extra word like “still” or “kept.”
- The memory of her grandfather is still alive.
- That tradition is kept alive in our community.
5. Mixing Alive and Awake
❌ Wrong: Are you alive? (to mean “awake”)
✅ Correct: Are you awake?
“Alive” means “not dead.”
“Awake” means “not sleeping.”
- After the accident, we were happy to see he was alive.
- I’m not fully awake before my first coffee.
6. Overusing Very Alive
❌ Wrong: He is very alive.
✅ Correct: He is alive. / He feels so alive.
“Alive” is a non-gradable adjective, which means you can’t use “very” or “a little” before it. You’re either alive or not alive. Instead, use “so alive” or “really alive” when talking about feelings or energy.
- After the run, I felt so alive.
- My grandmother is 95 and still alive.
7. Forgetting About Idioms with Alive
Many learners miss out on idiomatic expressions with “alive.”
- Come alive = become more active or interesting
- The city really comes alive at night.
- Alive and kicking = healthy and energetic
- Don’t worry, he’s alive and kicking.
- Bring something alive = make it more real or exciting
- The teacher brought history alive with stories.
Key Takeaways
- Use alive after verbs, not before nouns.
- Don’t confuse alive with live.
- Remember it works for people, animals, ideas, and traditions.
- Use correct idioms to sound natural.
By fixing these mistakes, your English will become more natural, accurate, and confident.
Want to Improve Your English?
If you found this lesson helpful, why not try a free online trial English lesson with me at MK’s English? With 30 years of teaching experience, I can help you avoid common mistakes and speak English more fluently.
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