positive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "positive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as expressing affirmation, optimism, or a favorable condition. Example: "Her positive attitude towards challenges inspires everyone around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is these positive contributions that are the true messages of faith and it is these contributions that need to be promoted".

The Guardian

"It was a judgment on our failure to move out of the comfort zone of critiquing the Tories and instead set out a positive alternative.

The Guardian

I knew this was going to be a tough fight and we have run a really strong positive campaign and we have fought for every single vote".

The Guardian

"Too often in the past our rhetoric undermined that positive relationship with business, and with the creation of jobs and wealth for the future.

The Guardian

We didn't take anyone's votes for granted and we have run a very strong positive campaign".

The Guardian

But let us finish on a positive note.

The Guardian

It's not always positive".

The New York Times

"I want us to express ourselves against Chelsea, be positive and enjoy the experience," McClaren has said.

The Guardian - Sport

Overall, the speech reflected the Liberal Democrats typically positive attitude to the challenges that lie ahead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Exercise stimulates the growth and repair of cells in the hippocampus, and induces a more positive mood, making you less susceptible to stress and reducing the amount of cortisol released.

The Guardian

Jeraj, a 25-year-old from the Hyderi Islamic centre in Streatham, south London, attended the event and was positive about Clegg's responses.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "positive" to emphasize constructive or beneficial aspects. For instance, highlight "positive" outcomes of a project to show its value and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "positive" as a catch-all term. Replace it with more specific adjectives like "constructive", "beneficial", or "optimistic" to provide a clearer and more nuanced description.

Linguistic Context

The word "positive" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate favorable, constructive, or affirmative qualities. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "positive" describes attributes, results, and outlooks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "positive" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective used to describe something favorable, affirmative, or constructive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various forms of communication. While "positive" is a versatile term, remember to consider more specific alternatives like "constructive" or "optimistic" for greater clarity. When you need to express approval or highlight beneficial aspects, "positive" is a solid choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affirmative

Emphasizes agreement or confirmation, rather than a generally beneficial quality.

favorable

Highlights the advantageous or beneficial aspect of something.

optimistic

Focuses on a hopeful and confident outlook.

constructive

Indicates a helpful and improving effect.

beneficial

Stresses the advantageous or helpful nature of something.

advantageous

Focuses on providing an edge or benefit.

encouraging

Implies inspiration and motivation.

promising

Suggests potential for a good outcome in the future.

upbeat

Emphasizes a cheerful and energetic tone.

supportive

Highlights providing assistance or approval.

FAQs

How can I use "positive" in a sentence?

You can use "positive" to describe an attribute, result, or outlook. For example, "She has a "positive attitude" toward her work", or "The test results were "positive for" the virus".

What can I say instead of "positive"?

Alternatives to "positive" include "affirmative", "favorable", "optimistic", or "constructive", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "positive effect" or "positive affect"?

"Positive effect" refers to a beneficial outcome or impact. "Positive affect" refers to a feeling or emotion. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the meaning you intend.

What's the difference between "positive" and "optimistic"?

"Positive" suggests something is real, definite, or beneficial, while "optimistic" indicates a hopeful outlook or expectation. For instance, a "positive" test result confirms a condition, while an "optimistic" forecast anticipates favorable outcomes.