a positive expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a positive expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an optimistic outlook or belief about a future event or outcome. Example: "With the new marketing strategy in place, the team has a positive expectation for increased sales this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Conversely, we expected subjects receiving a positive expectation instructional set to have higher baseline NRS of pain expectation than the NRS of pain expectation obtained following the instructional set.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Any wager with a win-rate over 52.38%, such as 52.5%, has a positive expectation and should be made but you should expect more variance in your bankroll.

WikiHow

The ancient Greeks used the term hope (elpis) in reference to an ambiguous, open-ended future; but the Resurrection of Jesus Christ gave the term, for Christians, a positive expectation and a moral quality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Participants were then assigned to a positive expectation or a no-expectation condition before receiving a sham laser therapy treatment.

Duke University

I've found that the most important element of the attitude needed for successful job seeking is a "positive expectation".

Science Magazine

Every such cone may equivalently be represented as those cash flows that have a positive expectation under a set of test probability measures.

Probability, Uncertainty and Quantitative Risk

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But The Washington Post explains that gamblers call a bet a "positive-expectation play" if paying the money it would require to beat the odds would still turn a profit for the better.

Huffington Post

This, however, introduces a bias towards a more positive expectation because teams with a bad future performance tend to be excluded.

Plosone

This may be explained by women having a sense of relief due to their knowledge and being able to attribute a cause to their loss of libido and developing a more positive expectation that a women's sex life does not end at menopause [ 35].

BMC Women's Health

This type of therapy produces a very positive expectation in patients and a high degree of satisfaction [ 20, 21].

BMC Psychiatry

The modified version that they adopted is that there are no cyclic processes, whose sole result is to restore a system to its initial state and having a strictly positive expectation value for the conversion of heat into work.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about future plans or predictions, use "a positive expectation" to convey confidence and optimism. This phrase can positively influence your audience's perception.

Common error

Avoid using "a positive expectation" when the situation clearly warrants caution or skepticism. Overly optimistic language in inappropriate contexts can damage credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a positive expectation" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a state of mind characterized by optimism and anticipation of a favorable outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical structure is sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

26%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a positive expectation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing optimism and anticipation about future events. As shown by Ludwig, it's applicable across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, though maintaining realism is key. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, serving to convey confidence and encourage positive perceptions. Related phrases like "optimistic anticipation" and "hopeful outlook" offer similar meanings with slight variations. Remember to avoid overuse in unrealistic scenarios to maintain credibility and make your writing more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

optimistic anticipation

Emphasizes the hopeful aspect of expecting something good.

hopeful outlook

Focuses on a generally positive and confident perspective.

favorable prospect

Highlights the advantageous nature of the expected outcome.

bright forecast

Uses a forecasting metaphor to suggest a promising future.

promising outlook

Similar to 'hopeful outlook' but stresses the potential for success.

encouraging prospect

Highlights that the expectation provides reassurance and motivation.

good anticipation

A more general term emphasizing a positive feeling about the future.

confident anticipation

Stresses the high degree of certainty in the expectation.

upbeat expectancy

Uses an informal tone to convey optimism about what's to come.

affirmative anticipation

Highlights the certainty of anticipated outcomes.

FAQs

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

You can use "a positive expectation" to express optimism about future outcomes. For example, "The company has "a positive expectation" for increased profits this year."

What are some alternatives to "a positive expectation"?

You can use alternatives like "optimistic anticipation", "hopeful outlook", or "favorable prospect" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to have "a positive expectation"?

While maintaining "a positive expectation" is generally beneficial, it's important to balance optimism with realism. In some situations, excessive optimism can lead to disappointment if outcomes don't meet expectations.

What's the difference between "a positive expectation" and "hope"?

While both terms involve looking forward to something desirable, ""a positive expectation"" implies a degree of confidence or likelihood based on current factors, whereas "hope" can be more general and rely more on desire than concrete evidence.