more negative than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more negative than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the negativity of two or more subjects or situations. Example: "The feedback from the clients was more negative than we anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Again, Republicans were more negative than positive.

The New York Times

That is, way more negative than positive.

University of California, Berkeley

The 2004 campaign was more negative than 2000 by far".

The New York Times

Clinicians, however, generally appear to be more negative than enthusiastic.

European Psychiatry

Each has more negative than positive material to work with.

The New York Times

Bush has positive words dominating over negative ones, while Buchanan is more negative than positive.

Harvard University

This year's ads are far fiercer and more negative than those from 2000.

The New York Times - Arts

But we both agreed that feral sounded much more negative than wild.

The New York Times - Arts

It was much more negative than I had expected," one commissioner said.

The Guardian - Business

"I've been more negative than positive about Grass's work over the years.

The Guardian - Books

"Until now, the boom has brought more negative than positive," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more negative than" to draw direct comparisons between two subjects, ensuring clarity by explicitly stating both entities being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "more negative than" without specifying what the subject is being compared to, as this can lead to ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the results were more negative", specify "the results were more negative than expected."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more negative than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one thing possesses a greater degree of negativity compared to another. This is supported by Ludwig's examples demonstrating various contexts of use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more negative than" is a correct and widely used comparative adjective phrase for expressing a greater degree of negativity between two subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific research, maintaining a neutral register. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to explicitly state what is being compared. While alternatives like "less positive than" or "more unfavorable than" exist, the choice depends on the specific emphasis desired. When writing, avoid ambiguity by always specifying the terms of comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more unfavorable than

Substitutes "negative" with a synonym that emphasizes disapproval.

less positive than

Reverses the polarity of the comparison to focus on the lack of positive attributes.

more detrimental than

Highlights the adverse impact or consequences.

more pessimistic than

Conveys a stronger sense of anticipated negative outcomes.

more harmful than

Emphasizes the potential for damage or injury.

more adverse than

Points out a greater degree of opposition or resistance.

worse than

Offers a simpler, more direct comparison of detriment.

more disapproving than

Indicates a stronger expression of objection or dissatisfaction.

more critical than

Focuses on the severity of judgment or evaluation.

more bleak than

Suggests a higher level of despondency or lack of hope.

FAQs

How can I use "more negative than" in a sentence?

Use "more negative than" to compare the degree of negativity between two subjects, such as "The first review was "more negative than" the second."

What are some alternatives to saying "more negative than"?

You can use alternatives like "less positive than", "more unfavorable than", or "more pessimistic than" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "more negative than what"?

While grammatically acceptable, it's generally better to specify what you're comparing to. For example, "The outcome was "more negative than" we anticipated" is clearer than "The outcome was "more negative than" what?".

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

Both phrases compare two subjects, but "more negative than" focuses on the increased negativity, while "less positive than" focuses on the decreased positivity. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.