on the brighter side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the brighter side" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express a positive outcome to a problem or a negative situation. For example, "I got a parking ticket, but on the brighter side, at least I didn't get a more expensive fine!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She said: "On the brighter side I am enjoying being totally infantised.

The Guardian

Mumford Naming himself after his new hometown, Mumford (Loren Dean) sets up a psychiatric practice that soon has his many clients looking on the brighter side.

The New York Times

But Mr. Dendy, 38, a choreographer-actor-dancer and sometime ringmaster of Mark Dendy Dance and Theater, has recently been looking on the brighter side.

The New York Times - Arts

But rather than despairing, which is usually the appropriate attitude when it comes to tangling with the gun lobby, let's try to look on the brighter side.

The New Yorker

However, looking on the brighter side we note that the 2016 Toyota Prius scores the top-rated five stars in EuroNCAP crash tests.

The Guardian

ON the brighter side, when or if these job jugglers get on a career path, they may offer an attractive skill set: they are expert multitaskers, hyper-organized and often very knowledgeable in technology.

The New York Times

On the brighter side there are a growing number of progressive Christians, like myself, who understand the responsibility that the American church has to advance the cause of reparations.

Huffington Post

In every undesirable circumstance, there is always a way to look on the brighter side.

WikiHow

defer.add img); See things on the brighter side if it's not awkward for the situation.

WikiHow

"He's the one who gets me to look on the brighter side of things".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the title and concept of the comp promise, it's a slow-moving piece, but it's light and playful too on the brighter side of the spectrum of ambient music.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the brighter side" to transition from acknowledging a negative situation to highlighting its potential benefits or positive aspects. It helps to soften bad news and offer a more optimistic outlook.

Common error

Avoid using "on the brighter side" in situations where the negative aspects are overwhelming or insensitive to minimize. It can come across as dismissive or out of touch with the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the brighter side" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used as a transitional phrase. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it serves to introduce a positive or more optimistic perspective following the acknowledgment of a negative situation. It is used to highlight the potential benefits or less severe aspects of something unfavorable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the brighter side" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to introduce a positive perspective after acknowledging a negative situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While frequently found in news and media, it's also applicable in wiki articles and business communications. As such, knowing when and how to use "on the brighter side" can help improve both clarity and tone. However, one must consider the level of negativity of the situation, because using this phrase at all costs might make the speaker sound like he's dismissing a serious situation. Therefore, it's important to be sensitive and avoid using this phrase in overly negative situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find a silver lining

Uses a common idiom to suggest discovering something positive within a negative situation.

consider the upsides

Suggests evaluating the positive aspects more thoughtfully.

look at the positive aspect

Focuses more directly on identifying positive elements.

accentuate the positive

Emphasizes highlighting and bringing forward the positive elements.

see the good in it

Simplifies the sentiment to a basic perspective shift towards positivity.

appreciate what is going well

Highlights gratitude for the positive aspects of the situation.

focus on the advantages

Highlights the benefits that can be derived from a situation.

dwell on the merits

Implies a more prolonged and thoughtful consideration of the positive attributes.

emphasize the opportunities

Shifts the focus towards potential future benefits or openings.

recognize the blessings

Suggests acknowledging fortunate or favorable aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "on the brighter side" in a sentence?

You can use "on the brighter side" to introduce a more positive aspect of an otherwise negative situation. For example, "The project was delayed, but "on the brighter side", we now have more time for testing".

What's a similar phrase to "on the brighter side"?

Alternatives include "look on the positive side", "find a silver lining", or "see the good in it". All suggest focusing on the positive aspects of a situation.

Is it always appropriate to use "on the brighter side"?

While generally useful for offering a positive perspective, "on the brighter side" might be inappropriate when dealing with deeply serious or tragic situations where a positive spin could seem insensitive.

How does "on the brighter side" differ from simply being optimistic?

"On the brighter side" specifically addresses finding positive elements within a negative or challenging context, whereas being generally optimistic is a broader disposition of expecting positive outcomes.