a positive rate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a positive rate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as finance, statistics, or any situation where a rate is being described as favorable or beneficial. Example: "The investment yielded a positive rate of return, indicating profitability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Seven HA features were positively associated with SΔNA as indicated by the posterior probability of a positive rate difference (i.e. a rate difference that generates a positive correlation) exceeding 0.95.

Plosone

So it's a new argument for a positive rate of interest.

Yale University

Most of the listed FSPs were from the MS regions with a positive rate as high as 15%~19%.

Nature

"A positive rate of 5percentt is hardly the sign that you have rampant use of anything," said Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president for labor relations.

The New York Times - Sports

Both RT-LAMP and RT-PCR detected HRSV in 38 HRSV samples, yielding a positive rate of 49%.

Journal of Virological Methods

Specifically, 36.5% (27/74) of the positive farms examined in 2015, showed a positive rate >25% of the tested sera (Fig. 1).

Nature

"Your tastes may be a liability". What the Remodeling magazine data shows is just how few projects yield a positive rate of return.

The New York Times

Again, it is worth noting that there is no guarantee of getting a positive rate of return.

Independent

The Bank of Japan could do more, if it was willing to adopt unconventional measures, like targeting a positive rate of inflation -- a course of action supported by some of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's advisers.

The New York Times

Tympanometry yielded the most abnormalities (8.3%), and pure-tone testing demonstrated the fewest (3.3%), with a positive rate of 6.3% for DPOAE testing.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The data from these studies were highly variable, with the reported NY-ESO-1 positive rate between 2.1% to 40% in different immunohistochemical studies and MAGE-A positive rate between <20% to 74%.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial returns, use "a positive rate of return" to clearly indicate profitability. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the period over which the rate is measured (e.g., "a positive annual rate").

Common error

Don't assume that "a positive rate" is always desirable without context. A "positive rate" of inflation, for instance, might be acceptable to a certain degree, or even sought after, but it is a tricky economic variable that is not always welcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a positive rate" functions primarily as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate that the rate in question is above zero or increasing. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is used across various fields, from science to finance, to denote a non-negative value or a trend of growth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

7%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a positive rate" is grammatically sound and widely used across multiple domains, including science, news, and business. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and beneficial in various contexts. The phrase describes a rate that is above zero or is increasing. While generally favorable, it's important to consider the specific context, as "a positive rate" may not always indicate a desirable outcome. Alternatives like "a beneficial rate" or "an increasing rate" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. Remember to specify the context and period for clarity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a beneficial rate

This alternative emphasizes the advantageous or helpful nature of the rate.

a favorable rate

This term focuses on the approval or endorsement associated with the rate, suggesting it's advantageous.

an increasing rate

This option highlights the upward trend or growth aspect of the rate.

a rising rate

Similar to "an increasing rate", this phrase also underscores the escalating nature of the rate.

a growing rate

This variation focuses on the expanding or developing aspect of the rate.

a healthy rate

Implies that the rate is at an acceptable or desirable level.

a satisfactory rate

This alternative conveys that the rate meets expectations or requirements.

an upward rate

Directly indicates that the rate is moving in an upward direction.

a progressive rate

Suggests that the rate is advancing or developing in a positive direction.

a gainful rate

This alternative highlights the profitable or advantageous characteristic of the rate.

FAQs

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

You can use "a positive rate" to describe various scenarios where a rate is above zero or increasing. For example, "The company reported a positive rate of growth this quarter" or "The treatment showed a positive rate of success in clinical trials".

What's the difference between "a positive rate" and "a favorable rate"?

"A positive rate" simply indicates a value above zero or an increase, while "a favorable rate" suggests the rate is beneficial or advantageous. The latter carries a stronger connotation of desirability.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a positive rate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a beneficial rate", "a favorable rate", or "an increasing rate". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it always good to have "a positive rate"?

Not necessarily. While a positive rate of return on investment is generally desirable, "a positive rate" of inflation or disease transmission may not be. The desirability depends entirely on the context.