affirmative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affirmative" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate agreement or confirmation, often in military or formal contexts. Example: "The commander responded with an affirmative, signaling that the mission could proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Anwar said that if he formed the next government, he would root out corruption and end a system of affirmative action for ethnic Malays, more than half of the 27 million population.

The Guardian

The idea of affirmative and enthusiastic consent encourages people to regard sex as a positive, willing action.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'd like to think it's one of hopeful, affirmative action, but perhaps that's too romanticised.

The Guardian

Whatever it was that Victoria did, it was sufficient for Jordan to answer in the affirmative when an interviewer inquired whether Mrs Beckham had benefited from "work" to her top half.

The Guardian

We need to teach young women and men about affirmative, enthusiastic and informed consent.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The reason this is concerning is because it requires the individual to do an affirmative act.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

To counter his opponents in the party, Mr Najib therefore needs to capitalise quickly on his own popularity to reform more boldly: to complete the demolition of the affirmative-action edifice; to go further in improving civil liberties; and, above all, to make the electoral system fairer.

The Economist

UMNO forced through the affirmative-action policies for Malays in the early 1970s.

The Economist

("One-quarter of you people seem OK; the rest of you are lazy affirmative-action moochers" does not an election win).

The Economist

And based on how the court's previous decisions construe the 14th amendment, upholding the ban will be in keeping with the court's equal-protection jurisprudence over the past few decades.That said, the 58% of Michigan voters who added the affirmative-action ban to their constitution have decreased minority enrollments in their state.

The Economist

LAST week the Supreme Court heard a case challenging an affirmative-action ban that Michigan voters added to their state constitution in 2006.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "affirmative" to clearly signal agreement or acceptance, particularly when interacting with automated systems or in structured communication protocols.

Common error

While "affirmative" is a correct and usable term, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "yes" or "okay" to maintain a natural tone and prevent sounding overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The word "affirmative" functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes something that affirms or asserts. As a noun, it represents a positive response or agreement, as shown by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

27%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "affirmative" serves as both an adjective and a noun to convey agreement, confirmation, or a positive assertion. While grammatically correct, as supported by Ludwig AI, its usage is more common in formal contexts, such as news reporting, business communications, or technical environments. It should be used judiciously in informal settings to avoid sounding stilted. Related phrases like "yes" or "confirmed" can be used as less formal alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the affirmative

A formal phrase indicating a positive response or agreement to a question or proposal.

yes

A direct synonym indicating agreement or confirmation. It's less formal than "affirmative".

confirmed

Implies verification or validation, often used in technical or official contexts.

roger

A common term in radio communication, especially aviation, indicating message receipt and understanding.

that's correct

Expresses agreement and acknowledges accuracy.

indeed

A more formal way of expressing agreement or confirmation.

positive

Indicates agreement or a favorable response. Broader in application than just confirmation.

absolutely

Emphasizes agreement with a strong, definitive tone.

okay

A versatile term indicating agreement, acceptance, or understanding.

agreed

Signals mutual agreement or consensus among parties.

FAQs

How to use "affirmative" in a sentence?

You can use "affirmative" to express agreement or confirmation. For example, "The commander responded with an affirmative, signaling the mission could proceed" or as a noun "He replied in the "affirmative"".

What can I say instead of "affirmative"?

You can use alternatives like "yes", "confirmed", or "roger" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "affirmative" or "yes"?

Both "affirmative" and "yes" are correct, but they differ in formality. "Affirmative" is typically used in formal or structured communication, while "yes" is more common in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "affirmative" and "positive"?

"Affirmative" specifically indicates agreement or confirmation. "Positive" has a broader meaning, indicating something is good, favorable, or constructive. "Affirmative" can be a "positive" response, but not all "positive" things are an "affirmative".