a positive trajectory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a positive trajectory' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the context of business or economics when describing an upward trend or improvement in a particular area. For example, you could say: "The company has seen a positive trajectory in sales over the past six months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

You can actually have a positive trajectory and feel good about that.

The Guardian

"The business is moving ahead in a positive trajectory," Ms. Wojcicki wrote.

The New York Times

This is not a positive trajectory considering the Games haven't even started yet.

The New York Times

Mr. Headley said the intensive support and training he received from other teachers and administrators at P.S. 65 put him on a positive trajectory.

The New York Times

Westin is "absolutely seeing a positive trajectory," he added, in measures like revenue per occupied room, which rose 9 percent in the first quarter compared with the same period last year.

The New York Times

The underlying message the government has sought to spread in the hope of keeping the debate on a positive trajectory is that Germany desperately needs migrants to fill a growing skills shortage in the workplace amid its own pending demographic crisis, owing to an ageing population and a chronically low birthrate.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

French growth had been on a more positive trajectory — first-quarter growth, although only 0.9 percent, was the economy's best quarterly showing in five years.

The New York Times

That set it on a very positive trajectory that led all the way to the Oscars, where it triumphed by winning the Best Foreign Language Film trophy.

BBC

A/S Carson stressed the importance of putting Ethiopia's democracy on an upward and positive trajectory, and not letting it atrophy or slide backward, using the suffrage and civil rights movements in the U.S. as an illustration of challenges the U.S. has faced as it improved its own democratic system.

The Guardian

As a result of their tenacity and resilience, this new reality they helped manifest exposes their younger siblings to a new and more positive trajectory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Given a circle homeomorphism f with irrational rotation number ρ, one may consider a positive marked trajectory (i.e., the positive trajectory of a marked point) (xi_{i}=f^{i}(xi_{0} in S^{1}), where (igeq0), and pick out of it the sequence of the dynamical convergents (xi_{q_{n}}), (ngeq0).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a positive trajectory" to describe progress in quantifiable metrics, such as sales growth, academic performance, or scientific advancements.

Common error

Avoid using "a positive trajectory" in contexts where the progress is not clearly defined or measurable. Opt for more descriptive language when discussing abstract concepts or feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a positive trajectory" functions as a noun phrase, where 'positive' modifies 'trajectory'. It describes a forward direction or path that indicates improvement or advancement. Ludwig examples show its use across different domains, from business growth to personal development.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a positive trajectory" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe progress or improvement, predominantly found in news and media, as shown by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase and conveys that something is moving in a favorable direction. While versatile, it’s best used in contexts where progress is clearly defined and measurable, avoiding overuse in abstract or vague scenarios. Alternative phrases include "an upward trend" and "a path of improvement". Overall, the phrase is a valuable tool for describing advancement across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a favorable trajectory

Replaces "positive" with "favorable", emphasizing a beneficial or advantageous direction.

an upward trend

Focuses on the increasing nature of the movement, using "trend" instead of "trajectory".

a path of improvement

Substitutes "trajectory" with "path of improvement", highlighting the act of getting better.

a course of progress

Replaces "trajectory" with "course of progress", indicating a steady advancement.

a successful development

Emphasizes the positive outcome of the development process.

a promising outlook

Shifts the focus to the future and the expectation of continued success.

an advancing movement

Highlights the forward motion and advancement of something.

a growing momentum

Focuses on the increasing speed and force of the progress.

an escalating growth

Stresses the increasing rate of growth or development.

a rising tendency

Indicates a general inclination towards improvement or increase.

FAQs

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

You can use "a positive trajectory" to describe an upward trend or improvement, as in: "The company's profits are on "a positive trajectory" this quarter."

What is a good alternative to "a positive trajectory"?

Alternatives include "an upward trend", "a path of improvement", or "a course of progress", depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a positive trajectory"?

It is suitable in business, science, and education to describe measurable improvement or progress. Ensure the context clearly defines what is improving.

Is "positive trajectory" formal or informal language?

"Positive trajectory" leans toward formal, especially in professional and academic settings. For informal conversation, consider simpler terms like "improving" or "getting better".