negative of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negative of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in mathematical or logical contexts to refer to the opposite or inverse of a value or statement. Example: "The negative of five is negative five."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not everyone is negative, of course.

The New York Times

Labour voters do not: a net negative of -56.

The Guardian

The piece is like a negative of its time.

The Guardian - Music

No negative of "Falling Soldier" is known to exist.

The New York Times - Arts

I think we can turn the negative of drug abuse into a positive".

The New York Times - Sports

"They buy a few negative of the great photographers, but what happens to the rest?

The New Yorker

'We're turning the negative of caffeine into the positive of non-alcoholic.

The New Yorker

One night I go to the lab, and I steal the negative of the scene.

The Guardian - Film

That the Japanese person usually responds in the negative — of course we're fine with Scarlett!

The New Yorker

"But that's the negative of him being so strong, quick, athletic and powerful.

The New York Times

Ed Miliband is also much more unpopular than Osborne, with a negative of -13.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negative of" in technical contexts like mathematics or photography, ensure clarity. Provide context to specify what aspect is being inverted or contrasted.

Common error

Avoid using "negative of" when a simpler synonym like "opposite" or "reverse" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the inverse, opposite, or unfavorable aspect of something. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various domains, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "negative of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote the inverse, opposite, or unfavorable aspect of something. As Ludwig AI's analysis highlights, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in both News & Media and Science contexts. While alternatives like "opposite of" and "inverse of" exist, "negative of" carries a specific connotation suitable for technical and general usage alike. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the element being inverted or contrasted for maximum impact and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite of

This directly indicates a contrasting or reverse nature.

inverse of

Implies a mathematical or logical reversal.

reverse of

Indicates a backward or contrary state.

downside of

Focuses on the unfavorable or detrimental aspect.

drawback of

Emphasizes a disadvantage or limitation.

flip side of

Highlights the contrasting aspect of a situation or idea.

unfavorable aspect of

Directly points out a negative or undesirable attribute.

detrimental effect of

Stresses the damaging or harmful consequence.

adverse consequence of

Similar to detrimental effect, but emphasizes the result.

harmful side of

Highlights the damaging or injurious aspect.

FAQs

How to use "negative of" in a sentence?

The phrase "negative of" is used to describe the opposite or inverse of something. For example, "The "negative of that number" is used to balance the equation".

What can I say instead of "negative of"?

You can use alternatives like "opposite of", "inverse of", or "reverse of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "negative of" or "opposite to"?

Both phrases can be correct, but "negative of" is typically used in more technical or mathematical contexts, while "opposite to" is more common in general usage.

What's the difference between "negative of" and "detrimental effect of"?

"Negative of" generally implies a direct inverse or opposite, whereas "detrimental effect of" refers to an adverse or harmful consequence. They are not interchangeable.