a firm negative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a firm negative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong or definite refusal or rejection of something. Example: "When asked if he would reconsider his decision, he responded with a firm negative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The answer is a firm negative.

The New York Times - Books

"Do you believe in reincarnation?" he asks his big brother hopefully, and on receiving a firm negative in response, "stopped listening to what Alex was saying and wrote his name using risotto to stop himself crying".

The Guardian - Books

By using a LAL assay (see Methods), we have obtained a firm negative results (<0.125 EU/ml) on the presence of a significant level of LPS in our [BF/S+L/Ep] extract fraction.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In our investigation we found the expression of FOXG1 strikingly in contrast with the expression of MECP2 in the brain, but we could not get firm negative correlation for this observation of discordance in expression.

BMC Genomics

Similarly, the specificity or negative predictive value (NPV) is the probability that a firm has a negative outcome given that they have a negative test result.

Financial Innovation

Last month, Fitch, a credit-rating agency, downgraded the outlook for the triple-A rated firm to "negative", citing Mr Buffett's age as the main reason.

The Economist

"I'm a firm believer in negative space, though I don't exercise that belief enough.

Vice

As a benchmark, Table 11 shows the (biased) OLS estimates for the three countries, which reveals the same patterns as for micro firms: negative correlations in Spain and positive correlations in France and the UK.

SERIEs

A negative correlation implies that a positive shock to a firm remaining active has a negative impact on the probability of a male worker being permanently laid off.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

In the second-stage regression, the IV estimates for the impact of wage cuts on layoffs are significantly negative: if a firm implements wage cuts, it will reduce the probability of layoffs by 0.172.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Thus, given the trade-off relationship confirmed in the theoretical part, α 1 is expected to be negative when a firm has to decide between layoffs and wage cuts.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a firm negative" when you want to express a clear and unwavering rejection or denial. It's suitable in situations where ambiguity is to be avoided.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "a firm negative" in casual conversation can sound overly formal or stiff. Consider using a simpler "no" or a more conversational refusal depending on the setting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a firm negative" functions as a noun phrase that describes a type of response. It specifically identifies the response as a strong and definite rejection or denial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a firm negative" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a definite and unwavering rejection or denial. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it finds its place in news, scientific, and formal business contexts to express clarity and finality. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "a definite no" or "an emphatic refusal". While versatile, be mindful of its slight formality, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Its use aims to remove any ambiguity, clearly marking a decision that is not open to discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a definite no

Directly expresses refusal; emphasizes clarity and finality.

a resounding no

Emphasizes the strength and clarity of the negative response.

an emphatic refusal

Highlights the forcefulness and conviction behind the rejection.

a categorical denial

Stresses the absence of exceptions or ambiguity in the denial.

a flat rejection

Indicates a simple, direct, and unequivocal refusal.

an absolute negative

Emphasizes the complete and unconditional nature of the negation.

a decisive rejection

Highlights the conclusive nature of the refusal, leaving no room for doubt.

a strict denial

Implies a rigorous and uncompromising rejection of something.

a staunch refusal

Conveys a sense of steadfastness and determination in the refusal.

a resolute no

Indicates a firm and unwavering negative response.

FAQs

How can I use "a firm negative" in a sentence?

You can use "a firm negative" to describe a decisive rejection or denial. For example: "He gave "a firm negative" to the proposal".

What's the difference between "a firm negative" and "a strong negative"?

"A firm negative" suggests decisiveness and lack of ambiguity, while "a strong negative" implies intensity or forcefulness. Although similar, "a firm negative" is more about clarity, and "a strong negative" is more about impact.

What can I say instead of "a firm negative"?

You can use alternatives like "a definite no", "an emphatic refusal", or "a categorical denial" depending on the context.

Is "a firm negative" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a firm negative" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to convey a clear and resolute rejection or denial. Its clarity and precision make it well-suited for professional or academic contexts.