Meaning & use
non-assertive
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Not expressing opinions, needs, or feelings in a direct and confident way.
Grammar: Can be used before a noun ('a non-assertive person') or after a linking verb ('She is non-assertive').
Patterns
- be non-assertive
- a non-assertive person
- a non-assertive style
He was too non-assertive to ask for a pay rise.
Her non-assertive manner often led people to ignore her suggestions.
The training course helps non-assertive employees speak up in meetings.
adjectivenot comparabletechnical
In grammar, describing words such as 'any' or 'ever' that are used mainly in questions, negatives, and conditional sentences.
Grammar: Used before a noun in technical grammar writing: 'a non-assertive item'. It is not usually graded.
Patterns
- non-assertive item
- non-assertive word
- non-assertive form
'Any' is a non-assertive word, common in questions and negative sentences.
The textbook lists 'ever' and 'anybody' as non-assertive forms.
In positive statements, assertive forms are preferred over non-assertive ones.
Word forms
| comparative | more non-assertive |
|---|---|
| superlative | most non-assertive |
Common combinations
- non-assertive behaviour
- His non-assertive behaviour made it hard for him to negotiate.
- a non-assertive person
- A non-assertive person may agree to things they do not want to do.
- non-assertive style
- The therapist encouraged her to move away from a non-assertive style.
- too non-assertive
- He was too non-assertive to complain about the poor service.
Synonyms and how they differ
- passive
- Passive often suggests accepting things without resistance; non-assertive is more neutral and simply means not stating your position.
- submissive
- Submissive implies giving in to others' authority, which is stronger and more negative than non-assertive.
- unassertive
- This is a common variant without the hyphen; it means the same thing and is equally acceptable.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: non-assertive or aggressive?
non-assertive vs aggressive
Aggressive means attacking or forceful in a way that harms others. Non-assertive is the opposite of assertive, not the opposite of aggressive.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'non-assertive' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Non-assertive means not stating your needs or opinions directly, so 'never asked for what he needed' fits. The other options describe loud, confident, or aggressive behaviour, which is the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “non-assertive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.