constructively

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "constructively" is a valid and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb that means done in a way that is helpful and intended to improve something. Example sentence: He discussed his ideas constructively, and everyone was able to come together to work on a solution.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some of those vowing to "explain" the world empirically are sincere: their reverence for data betrays a certain despair among moderates, as they try to construct a canon of basic facts whose meaning right and left may constructively debate.

The Economist

A currency union is the choice of business in both Scotland and the rest of the UK, and it is clear that the markets will expect the UK to negotiate constructively and in good faith.

The Guardian

People had watched Sinn Féin and the DUP work constructively together in government, rather than tearing strips off each other.

The Guardian

She added that she was ready to talk "very constructively" with Britain about issues such as reducing bureaucracy and what issues should be decided by Europe or by nation states.

The Guardian

"The political and educational challenge we now face is to find a way of constructively talking about culture, faith and immigration so that those who are most dispossessed can see the similarities of their precarious positions with those of marginalised ethnic or immigrant communities," Pilkington said.

The Guardian

Engaging constructively with China and India still matters, but Britain's future will ultimately be determined by the strength of its ties to the UK's largest home market – continental Europe.

The Guardian - Opinion

The BBC last week announced it had added Thierry Henry, Phil Neville and Rio Ferdinand to its roster for the World Cup. Henry is likely to slip seamlessly into the role filled by Ruud Gullit and Leonardo while Ferdinand will become the latest former player to try to pull off the Gary Neville trick of constructively criticising players with whom he was recently sharing a dressing room.

The Guardian - Sport

The results out so far (see 10.26am) suggest people are voting the parties "who have constructively engaged in the political process" after a full term of powersharing at Stormont, he said.

The Guardian

McGuinness talked about the need to work "constructively" to improve the lives of the people of Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

There are exceptions – she has worked constructively with the Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston on parliamentary reform – but on the whole her experience of parliament has been dispiriting.

The Guardian

You will have your presentation ideas and style constructively critiqued in a intimate environment of only 20 people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing feedback, frame your criticisms as suggestions for improvement to ensure you are contributing "constructively" rather than simply pointing out flaws.

Common error

Avoid using "constructively" as a preface to harsh or overly negative feedback; true constructive criticism aims to build up, not tear down. Focus on actionable steps for improvement.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "constructively" modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating how an action is performed. It adds the meaning of doing something in a helpful, productive, or positive manner, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "constructively" is a versatile adverb that denotes actions performed in a helpful, positive, and productive manner. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the term adheres to standard grammatical rules and is quite frequent in writing. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it's useful for conveying a solution-oriented approach. To avoid common errors, make sure that your use of "constructively" leads to actionable steps instead of negativity. Consider synonyms like "helpfully" or ""productively"" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a helpful manner

Emphasizes the helpful aspect of the action, focusing on providing assistance or support.

in a productive fashion

Emphasizes the efficiency and effectiveness of the approach.

in a positive way

Focuses on the positive impact of the action or communication.

with a solution-oriented approach

Highlights focusing on finding and implementing solutions.

with good intentions

Highlights the motivation behind the action, suggesting a desire to improve the situation.

with a view to improvement

Formal and emphasizes the aim of making things better.

in a collaborative spirit

Emphasizes teamwork and cooperation.

in a supportive role

Emphasizes providing encouragement and assistance.

in an advantageous manner

Focuses on achieving a beneficial outcome.

with a forward-thinking attitude

Suggests planning and anticipation of future needs.

FAQs

How can I use "constructively" in a sentence?

You can use "constructively" to describe actions that aim to improve a situation or contribute positively, like "He used his time "productively"" or "They worked "collaboratively" on the project".

What's a good synonym for "constructively"?

Alternatives to "constructively" include "positively", "helpfully", or ""productively"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "constructively criticize"?

Yes, "constructively criticize" is correct. It means to offer criticism in a way that is intended to help someone improve. The goal is to provide feedback that is helpful and actionable, rather than simply pointing out flaws. This is similar to offering "helpful feedback".

What's the difference between "constructively" and "destructively"?

"Constructively" means in a way that builds up or improves, while "destructively" means in a way that tears down or harms. You could interact "in a positive way" versus in a negative way.