a positive answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"a positive answer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an answer or response that is affirmative or in agreement with a statement or question. Example: "After asking for her opinion, I received a positive answer from Sarah. She agreed that the project proposal was well thought out and feasible."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can the vaccine authorities accept a positive answer?

The New York Times - Magazine

But a positive answer was offered twice, the report said.

The New York Times

MacDonald defends a positive answer to his title's question.

Yale University

This provides a positive answer to the analogue of Cercignani's conjecture for this linear collision operator.

Journal of Functional Analysis

This gives a positive answer to a problem of Kraus and Larson.

Journal of Functional Analysis

A sufficient condition is given for a positive answer to the above question.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Hence, a positive answer to our question (in the general sense) seems reasonable.

Image and Vision Computing

"Always, because I believed him, he gave me a positive answer about any questions [I had].

The Guardian

Therefore, we have thoroughly analyzed it and gave a positive answer.

The New York Times

A positive answer begets further questions.

SEP

We now give a positive answer.

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "an affirmative response" or "a favorable reply" instead of "a positive answer" to add a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

While "a positive answer" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very informal settings where simpler alternatives like "yes" or "okay" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a positive answer" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as the subject or object in a sentence, denoting an affirmative or favorable response. Examples in Ludwig show it frequently follows verbs like 'give' or 'receive', indicating the action of providing or getting such a response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a positive answer" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that signifies agreement, approval, or confirmation. It functions as a noun phrase and is versatile enough for both neutral and formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While generally suitable, consider more formal alternatives like "an affirmative response" in sophisticated writing or simpler options like "yes" in informal settings. The phrase is common across science, news, and formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An affirmative response

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey agreement.

A favorable reply

Indicates the answer is advantageous or pleasing.

Agreement

A shorter, more direct way to express accord.

Confirmation

Highlights the validation or verification aspect of the answer.

A go-ahead

Informal term for permission or approval.

The green light

Idiomatic expression for receiving permission to proceed.

A yes

The simplest affirmative response.

An endorsement

Suggests the answer supports or approves of something.

Approval

Focuses on the sanctioning aspect of the response.

A thumbs up

An informal expression indicating approval or agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "a positive answer" in a sentence?

You can use "a positive answer" to indicate agreement or approval, as in, "The proposal received "a positive answer" from the board."

What's a more formal way to say "a positive answer"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "an affirmative response" or "a favorable reply".

Is it always necessary to specify the kind of "answer"?

No, sometimes simply stating "agreement" or "confirmation" can be sufficient, depending on the context.

What's the difference between "a positive answer" and "a positive response"?

While similar, ""a positive answer"" typically refers to a direct reply to a question, whereas "a positive response" can refer to a reaction to a situation or stimulus.