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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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i was negative

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was negative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past state of mind or attitude that was pessimistic or unfavorable. Example: "During the meeting, I was negative about the proposed changes, believing they would not benefit the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

(I was negative).

News & Media

The New York Times

I was disappointed that I was negative, and most people don't understand that".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Two months after he died, I found out I was negative.

"I was negative on Bush the person and Gore the party.

News & Media

The New York Times

I think I'd started to apply that to my whole life; I was negative, just in case something bad happened.

"I went with confidence because my first child was negative and I was negative then," she says.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Thus, H i is negative semidefinite.

Let sgn ( α i ) = sgn ( β i ) be negative, then from equations (32) and (34 - 36), we can conclude that sgn ( γ i ) is negative.

Tg-I was negative.

Notice that since β i is negative-valued in any configuration, (63) is globally well-defined.

"I thought it was negative in the worst, petty way.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical test results, use "I was negative" to clearly state the absence of a condition or substance. This phrasing is straightforward and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "I was negative" as a blanket statement for all unfavorable situations. Be specific about what you were negative about to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "I was negative about the project", specify "I was negative about the project's feasibility given the tight deadline."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was negative" functions as a statement of a past condition or state. It can express a past emotion, opinion, or, as Ludwig AI's examples indicate, report a test result.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was negative" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a past state of mind, opinion, or test result. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's crucial to consider the context to determine the most appropriate interpretation. While versatile, specifying the subject of negativity enhances clarity. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media and Scientific articles, reflecting its wide applicability.

FAQs

How can I use "I was negative" in a sentence?

You can use "I was negative" to describe a past state where you had a pessimistic view or to report a medical test result. For example, "During the meeting, I was negative about the proposed budget cuts", or "After the test, I was relieved to find out "I tested negative" for the virus".

What's the difference between "I was negative" and "I tested negative"?

"I was negative" can refer to a state of mind or a test result. ""I tested negative"" specifically refers to the outcome of a test, usually in a medical context.

What are some alternatives to saying "I was negative"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "I felt pessimistic", "I disagreed", or "I had a negative outlook".

Is it always appropriate to say "I was negative"?

While grammatically correct, consider the context. In professional or sensitive situations, it might be better to use more specific or diplomatic phrasing to convey your perspective, such as "I had reservations about..." or "I expressed disapproval because...".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: