absolutely positive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely positive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is definitely true or certain. For example, "I'm absolutely positive that I saw a UFO last night!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It is absolutely positive," he said.

The New York Times

About three things I was absolutely positive.

The Guardian

"I'm absolutely positive he's guilty," he said.

The New York Times

"If he hadn't done that, I am absolutely positive I would not be here today".

The New York Times

I'm absolutely positive that she will be nominated for best actress.

The New Yorker

I know that there is an eyewitness who is absolutely positive she saw Gary Graham commit murder.

The New York Times

"Ted was absolutely positive that Roy would have been more hated than he is," one Senate colleague said.

The New Yorker

"But from a qualitative standpoint I do think it has an impact, and that impact is absolutely positive.

The New York Times - Arts

"The Safe Schools brand has been badly damaged, which is a great shame because what it seeks to do is such absolutely positive work".

The Guardian

"The effect will be absolutely positive," said C. Bradley Mendelson, the executive managing director of Insignia/ESG, a real estate company.

The New York Times

"I, like everyone else, was shocked to hear of these allegations and I am absolutely positive that they are without foundation".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely positive" to convey a strong sense of certainty or conviction. It adds emphasis and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely positive" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or insincere. Use it sparingly for maximum impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely positive" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective, enhancing the degree of certainty or conviction. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is frequently used to express strong affirmation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolutely positive" is a common and grammatically correct way to express strong certainty. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. When you want to convey conviction, this phrase effectively emphasizes your stance. Be mindful of overuse to maintain impact. For alternatives, consider "completely certain" or "entirely sure" to achieve a similar effect. As a rule, "absolutely positive" is a strong tool in writing when used purposefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely certain

Synonymous and interchangeable.

completely certain

Emphasizes totality of certainty but uses different adjectives.

entirely sure

Uses "entirely" instead of "absolutely" and "sure" instead of "positive".

definitely convinced

Replaces "positive" with "convinced" to indicate a state of assuredness.

undoubtedly certain

Uses "undoubtedly" to convey the lack of doubt in the certainty.

completely assured

Indicates a state of being fully confident.

categorically sure

Emphasizes that certainty is without exception or qualification.

unequivocally certain

Conveys that certainty is expressed in a clear and unambiguous manner.

without a doubt

Expresses certainty through the absence of doubt.

I am certain

A more direct and succinct expression of certainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "absolutely positive" to emphasize your certainty about something, like "I'm "absolutely positive" I locked the door".

What are some alternatives to "absolutely positive"?

Alternatives include "completely certain", "entirely sure", or "definitely convinced", depending on the context.

Is "absolutely positive" formal or informal?

"Absolutely positive" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it adds a strong emphasis.

What's the difference between "absolutely positive" and "pretty sure"?

"Absolutely positive" indicates a high degree of certainty, while "pretty sure" suggests a lower level of confidence. Use "absolutely positive" when you have no doubt, and "pretty sure" when you are mostly confident but not entirely.