it was positive for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was positive for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts such as medical or diagnostic results to indicate that a test or assessment yielded a positive outcome for a specific condition or substance. Example: "The test results indicated that it was positive for the presence of the virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It was positive for Ebola.

The New Yorker

It was positive for me.

The New Yorker

One of the lab technicians went to his house to draw blood: it was positive for Ebola.

The New Yorker

Mr. Costello took the spinach to a private laboratory, where tests showed it was positive for E. coli O157 H7.

The New York Times

It was positive for those who support the existing strategy of diversification, and negative for those who would prefer a demerger of the consumer arm, he said.

The Guardian - Business

He said it was positive for BP that it had set aside no additional financial provisions because of the Gulf of Mexico spill.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It said I was positive for nikethamide but in the end I wasn't positive.

The Guardian - Sport

It turned out that I was positive for syphilis.

Vice

"It's positive for gold".

The New York Times

It's positive for her.

The New York Times

It's positive for us and it's positive for them".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was positive for" in a medical context, always specify what the test was positive for to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "it was positive for the flu virus" is clearer than simply "it was positive".

Common error

Avoid using "it was positive for" without specifying the subject or context. Saying "it was positive for the project" is vague; instead, clarify by stating, "the feedback was positive for the project's initial phase".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was positive for" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating an affirmative result or outcome related to a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was positive for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate an affirmative or beneficial outcome. As shown by Ludwig AI, it is found in various contexts, particularly in science and news media. While versatile, ensure clarity by specifying what the subject was positive for. Consider alternatives such as "the result was affirmative for" or "it yielded a positive result for" depending on the formality required. Pay attention to the register and level of detail needed to communicate effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the result was affirmative for

Replaces "it was positive" with "the result was affirmative", maintaining a formal tone.

it yielded a positive result for

Substitutes "was positive" with "yielded a positive result", emphasizing the outcome.

the test came back positive for

Uses a more colloquial expression "came back positive", suitable for informal contexts.

a positive outcome was observed for

Employs a passive voice and replaces "it was" with "a positive outcome was observed", suitable for scientific writing.

it indicated a positive response for

Replaces "was positive" with "indicated a positive response", highlighting the reaction.

the analysis confirmed the presence of

Shifts the focus to confirming the presence of something, rather than a general positive result.

it showed a positive indication of

Uses "showed a positive indication" instead of "was positive", providing a slightly different nuance.

the findings were positive with regard to

More formal phrasing, suitable for academic or professional settings.

it tested positive regarding

Simplified version using "tested positive", suitable for less formal contexts.

evidence suggested a positive correlation to

Suggests a positive correlation rather than a direct positive result.

FAQs

What does "it was positive for" mean?

The phrase "it was positive for" generally indicates that a test, analysis, or assessment yielded an affirmative result or a beneficial outcome in relation to a specific condition, substance, or situation.

What can I say instead of "it was positive for"?

You can use alternatives like "the result was affirmative for", "it yielded a positive result for", or "the test came back positive for" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "it was positive for" in formal writing?

Yes, "it was positive for" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when discussing scientific or medical results. However, more formal alternatives like "a positive outcome was observed for" may be preferred in some contexts.

How do I use "it was positive for" in a sentence?

You can use "it was positive for" followed by the specific element or situation to which the positive result applies. For example, "The blood test showed that it was positive for antibodies".