get a positive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get a positive" is not complete and may not be clear in written English without additional context.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to obtaining a positive result or outcome, such as in testing or feedback scenarios. Example: "After several attempts, we finally managed to get a positive response from the client."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hopefully we will get a positive outcome.

Independent

So Leicester could conceivably get a positive result.

The Guardian - Sport

"If we get a positive response, then things will change".

The New York Times

You try to get a positive out of a negative.

Independent

If you opened a restaurant it would get a positive review, then?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We have to go into the first game and get a positive result out of it.

The New York Times - Sports

"Pass a Geiger counter over it, and you get a positive reading.

The New York Times

"It's really hard to design, execute and get a positive clinical trial.

The Guardian

They will need to be better to get a positive result against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

Henderson said players plead ignorance "every time we get a positive steroid test".

The New York Times - Sports

"But that's not a good way to get a positive result".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify the type of positive result you're seeking. For instance, instead of just saying "get a positive", clarify with "get a positive test result" or "get a positive response from the client".

Common error

Avoid using "get a positive" without context. Overgeneralization can lead to ambiguity; ensure your audience understands what specific type of positive outcome or result you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get a positive" functions as a verb phrase indicating the attainment of a favorable outcome or result. As Ludwig AI suggests, it lacks specificity and can benefit from contextual clarification. Examples show its use in scenarios ranging from sports results to medical tests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get a positive" is a versatile expression used to describe achieving a favorable result or outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, while commonly used, it lacks specificity and benefits from contextual clarity. It appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. When writing, ensure you provide enough context to avoid ambiguity and consider more formal alternatives like "obtain a positive result" or "receive a positive response" for professional settings. The goal is to communicate your intended meaning clearly and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain a positive result

Replaces "get" with "obtain", offering a more formal tone while retaining the core meaning of achieving a favorable outcome.

receive a positive response

Focuses specifically on receiving a favorable reply or reaction, substituting "result" with "response".

achieve a favorable outcome

Highlights the achievement of a positive outcome, replacing "get" with "achieve" and "positive" with "favorable".

secure a positive answer

Emphasizes obtaining an affirmative answer or confirmation, using "secure" instead of "get".

elicit a positive reaction

Focuses on provoking or drawing out a positive reaction from someone or something.

garner a positive review

Specifically refers to obtaining a favorable review or assessment.

find a positive aspect

Shifts the focus to identifying a positive element or feature within a situation.

experience a positive change

Highlights the occurrence of a beneficial or favorable change.

see a positive shift

Similar to "experience a positive change", but emphasizes a shift or alteration towards a more positive state.

realize a positive gain

Focuses on achieving a positive gain or benefit, often in a measurable or tangible way.

FAQs

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

You can use "get a positive" to describe achieving a favorable outcome, such as "We hope to get a positive result from the negotiations" or "The goal is to get a positive response from the customer".

What's a more formal alternative to "get a positive"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "obtain a positive result" or "receive a positive response".

In what contexts is "get a positive" commonly used?

"Get a positive" is frequently used in contexts related to test results, feedback, reactions, and outcomes in various fields such as sports, business, and science.

How can I avoid ambiguity when using "get a positive"?

To avoid ambiguity, provide specific context. For example, instead of saying "We need to get a positive", clarify it as "We need to get a positive test result" or "We need to get a positive review".