less positive than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less positive than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the positivity of two or more subjects, indicating that one is not as positive as the other. Example: "The feedback from the second presentation was less positive than the first one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ARG residues at positions 4 and 9 are significantly less positive than the rest of the ARG residues, indicating that mutations at these positions may be less effective.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Economists said the numbers were less positive than they appeared.

The New York Times

Opinions about free trade are far less positive than views about trade in general.

The New York Times

"Perceptions of the BBC in Scotland have traditionally been less positive than in most other parts of the UK, due to a complex mix of reasons, some cultural".

The Guardian

"The people who encourage young people to go into the military are less positive than they used to be," Gates told the packed ballroom.

The New York Times - Magazine

To be fair to the designers, the history of incorporating technology in tabletop games is rather less positive than the history of making digital versions of board games.

The Guardian - Tech

On the whole, though, Ms. Ramirez cautioned that the Labor Department's report was less positive than it appeared at first blush.

The New York Times

When investment in health and education is limited or misdirected, the quality of services suffers, and benefits are less positive than the statistics show.

The Guardian

UTV said the Olympics "did not provide any performance-enhancing effect on advertising revenue and as a result trading conditions for the third quarter have been less positive than anticipated".

The Guardian

But the more recent criticism has focused specifically on the way the conclusions were arrived at, with even some of the researchers saying the larger picture is much less positive than Professor Peterson maintained.

The New York Times

But that familiarity had its price, according to Zeta's Super Bowl Ad Buzz report: the buzz around the 2012 spots was slightly less positive than for last year's spots.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less positive than", ensure you clearly define what you are comparing it to for clarity. For example, "The reviews for this sequel were "less positive than" the original movie."

Common error

Avoid using ""less positive than"" without specifying what you are comparing it to. Saying "The results were "less positive than"" is vague. Instead, specify: "The results were "less positive than" expected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less positive than" functions as a comparative, indicating that one entity or situation possesses a lower degree of positivity compared to another. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in diverse contexts, demonstrating its wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less positive than" is a versatile comparative phrase used to indicate a reduced degree of optimism or favorability. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, and general writing. While suitable for formal and informal settings, ensuring clarity in comparison is crucial. Alternative phrases such as "less favorable than" or "not as optimistic as" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less favorable than

Focuses on a decrease in positive regard or approval.

not as optimistic as

Emphasizes a reduced level of optimism compared to something else.

not as upbeat as

Conveys a reduction in cheerfulness or optimism.

more pessimistic than

Shifts the focus to a negative outlook instead of simply a lack of positivity.

not as encouraging as

Implies a decrease in the level of support or motivation provided.

not quite as enthusiastic as

Highlights a lower level of enthusiasm.

downbeat relative to

Conveys a more pessimistic or negative tone in comparison.

more critical than

Suggests a more negative or fault-finding perspective.

not so sanguine as

Indicates a lower level of optimism or confidence.

somewhat disapproving compared to

Indicates a level of disapproval or negativity when compared to a standard.

FAQs

How can I use "less positive than" in a sentence?

Use "less positive than" to show that something is not as optimistic or favorable as something else. For example, "The company's earnings report was "less positive than anticipated"."

What is a formal alternative to "less positive than"?

In formal contexts, you can use "less favorable than" or "not as advantageous as" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less positive than"?

Yes, "less positive than" is grammatically correct. It's a comparative phrase used to indicate that something is not as positive as something else.

What's the difference between "less positive than" and "more negative than"?

"Less positive than" indicates a reduced level of optimism, while "more negative than" implies an actual increase in negativity. The first one describes a lack of something, the second one describes an increase of it.