are we positive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are we positive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for confirmation or assurance about something, typically in a discussion or decision-making context. Example: "Before we proceed with the plan, are we positive that we have all the necessary resources?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Lunatic [loon-uh-tick], noun: A term -- much like the phrase "Are we positive we want to be spending time on this?" -- that has been banned from Congress.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The positive is we created chances.

Independent

We're positive we're building something, we're working hard, and you'll see results soon," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

And we were positive we could prove it".

The New York Times - Sports

Satiated we were positive we'd get tickets for that evening.

HuffPost

We are always positive and we can always score goals.

BBC

We are positive that we will track him down by then," local police told AFP.

BBC

Before we went through the door we decided if one of us was positive, we both needed to be positive.

The Guardian

If we're too positive, we condemn ourselves to fail.

The New Yorker

At the same time that we want to be positive, we want to be unblinking.

Duke University

While we are positive on the longer term impact of gamification, we are less positive in the short/immediate term.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are we positive", clearly define what you are seeking confirmation about to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just asking "Are we positive?", ask "Are we positive that we have all the data needed for the analysis?"

Common error

While grammatically sound, "are we positive" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "are we sure?" or "really?" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are we positive" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically seeking confirmation or verification of a statement or belief. As seen in Ludwig, it's used to question the degree of certainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are we positive" is a grammatically correct and usable way to seek confirmation or express certainty. Ludwig AI indicates its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider the audience and context when choosing between this phrase and more informal alternatives like "are we sure?". Its communicative function is to verify assumptions and ensure alignment, making it a valuable tool in discussions and decision-making processes. Although not exceedingly frequent, it's a recognized and understood expression across various authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are we certain

Replaces "positive" with "certain", indicating a strong belief in the truth of something.

are we sure

A more informal alternative, conveying the same meaning of seeking confirmation.

can we be sure

Changes the structure to a question of possibility of being sure, rather than a direct query about current certainty.

are we confident

Substitutes "positive" with "confident", emphasizing assurance in one's abilities or judgment.

do we have reason to believe

Indirectly questions the basis for a belief, rather than directly asking about certainty.

do we have confirmation

Focuses on the act of confirming information, shifting from a state of being to a process.

is there any doubt

Poses the question from a perspective of absence of doubts and uncertainty.

can we verify

Focuses on verification of an assumption or fact, instead of confirming a personal feeling.

what makes us think so

Challenges the basis of the belief, indirectly questioning certainty.

what's our rationale

Inquires about the reasoning behind a conclusion, rather than certainty about it.

FAQs

What does "are we positive" mean?

The phrase "are we positive" is used to ask for confirmation or assurance about something. It seeks to verify if there is a strong belief or certainty regarding a particular matter or fact.

How to use "are we positive" in a sentence?

You can use "are we positive" in a sentence to question the certainty of a statement or plan. For example: "Before we proceed with this investment, "are we positive" about the projected returns?"

What can I say instead of "are we positive"?

You can use alternatives like "are we certain", "are we sure", or "are we confident", depending on the context.

Is "are we positive" formal or informal?

The phrase "are we positive" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very casual settings, simpler phrases like "are we sure" might be more appropriate.