negative

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "negative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is bad, lacking in quality or not desirable. For example: The government has had a mostly negative impact on small businesses this year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are concerned that this development may have an increasingly negative impact on the threat situation in Norway".

The New York Times

In the 1990s, Nike's sweatshops weren't the worst in the business, but they're the ones that got the negative publicity.

The New York Times

The health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, who has been criticised by some senior doctors for painting an unfairly negative picture of NHS staff and the quality of care provided, welcomed the report.

The Guardian

"We have obviously had now 11 suspected cases [of Ebola], all of which have been negative after testing," he said.

The Guardian

A negative balance shows an unhealthy business and I could not support a gallery just for a hobby at the age of 26".

The Guardian

He insists that economic sanctions are working, with Russia now in negative growth, and says Russia needs America and Europe more than America and Europe need Russia.

The Guardian

On the whole, recent trading statements have shown companies performing reasonably well, so a spate of more negative updates also dented investor enthusiasm.

The Guardian - Business

There's no inevitable consequence of urbanisation that is either positive or negative.

The Guardian

"I'm just finding it in a way a little bit disappointing that Frank Rijkaard, who is also such a talented player, seems today to have such a negative role, just looking after [Jürgen] Klinsmann," said the ITV commentator Brian Moore, as the clock ticked towards the 20-minute mark.

The Guardian - Sport

The negative effects, on the other hand, were indirect and dissipated among the population at large.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have women who are killed by their husbands but we don't have any legitimate terror offences... "Yet the amount of money put into negative policing and punitive measures has really soured relations between Muslim community and ramped up the sense of fear and isolation in the community".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "negative" to precisely describe an impact or result that is unwanted or detrimental. Consider stronger synonyms if you need to emphasize severity.

Common error

While "negative" is versatile, avoid overuse in casual conversation. Opt for more descriptive or nuanced words like "bad", "unpleasant", or "disagreeable" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "negative" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate an unfavorable, detrimental, or opposite quality. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "negative" is a versatile adjective used to describe unfavorable, detrimental, or opposite qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While interchangeable with synonyms like "unfavorable" or "detrimental", it is crucial to consider the specific nuance and context. Overuse in informal settings should be avoided to maintain a natural tone. "Negative" serves to express disapproval, indicate a lack of something positive, or denote an opposite state, making it a fundamental term in diverse forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfavorable

Replaces "negative" with a focus on the lack of benefit or advantage.

undesirable

Focuses on the unwanted or unwelcome nature of something.

damaging

Highlights the act of causing harm or destruction.

detrimental

Emphasizes the harmful or damaging aspect.

harmful

Stresses the capacity to cause damage or injury.

adverse

Highlights opposition or resistance, similar to "negative" in its effect.

pessimistic

Relates to a "negative" outlook or expectation.

unpromising

Indicates a lack of potential for success or improvement.

inauspicious

Suggests bad luck or misfortune.

counterproductive

Implies that actions have the opposite of the intended effect.

FAQs

How can I use "negative" in a sentence?

You can use "negative" to describe something unfavorable, such as "The report had a "negative impact" on the company's stock price" or to indicate a result, such as "The test results were negative".

What's a more impactful alternative to "negative"?

Depending on the context, consider using words like "detrimental", "adverse", or "harmful" for a more forceful expression. However, remember that "detrimental", "adverse", and "harmful" may not always be perfectly interchangeable with “negative”.

In what situations is it better to avoid the word "negative"?

In some informal contexts, "negative" can sound overly formal or harsh. Opt for alternatives like "bad", "unpleasant", or "not good" for everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "negative" and "pessimistic"?

"Negative" describes something that is unfavorable or detrimental, while "pessimistic" describes a tendency to expect the worst. A situation might have "negative consequences", leading someone to feel "pessimistic" about the future.