positive answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "positive answer" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to an answer or response that is affirmative, supportive, or in agreement with the question or statement. Example: "The job applicant gave a positive answer when asked if she was willing to work overtime."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can the vaccine authorities accept a positive answer?

The New York Times - Magazine

But a positive answer was offered twice, the report said.

The New York Times

"Always, because I believed him, he gave me a positive answer about any questions [I had].

The Guardian

He still has no clear, positive answer on the economy and jobs to give.

The Guardian

A positive answer begets further questions.

SEP

We now give a positive answer.

Boundary Value Problems

We will give the positive answer.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

The following result gives a positive answer.

Advances in Difference Equations

Our calculations gave positive answer on this question.

Advances in Space Research

But we are the positive answer to ISIS".

TechCrunch

Next, we give a positive answer to this question.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "positive answer" when you want to clearly indicate agreement or a favorable outcome. Ensure the context supports a clear affirmative response.

Common error

Avoid using "positive answer" in casual conversation where simpler terms like "yes" or "okay" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positive answer" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It signifies an affirmative or favorable response to a question, request, or situation. Ludwig examples show its use in both direct answers and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "positive answer" is a frequently used phrase denoting an affirmative or favorable response. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various domains, including science, news, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional contexts, and users should avoid overusing it in informal settings where simpler affirmations suffice. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "affirmative response" or "favorable reply" to add nuance or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affirmative response

Replaces "answer" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing agreement.

favorable reply

Substitutes "answer" with "reply" and "positive" with "favorable", highlighting a beneficial response.

supportive response

Replaces "positive" with "supportive", suggesting the answer provides encouragement or backing.

agreeable reply

Uses "agreeable" to emphasize the aspect of consent or accordance in the response.

encouraging answer

Highlights the hopeful or promising nature of the response.

yes

A succinct, direct affirmation

nod of approval

A nonverbal affirmation of approval

confirmation

Emphasizes the validation or verification aspect of the answer.

thumbs up

An informal, visual gesture of approval or agreement.

satisfactory response

Indicates that the answer meets the required expectations or standards.

FAQs

How can I use "positive answer" in a sentence?

You can use "positive answer" to indicate an affirmative response, like: "The survey yielded a "positive answer" regarding customer satisfaction."

What can I say instead of "positive answer"?

You can use alternatives like "affirmative response", "favorable reply", or "supportive response" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "positive answer" or "affirmative answer"?

Both ""positive answer"" and "affirmative answer" are correct, but "affirmative answer" is slightly more formal. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "positive answer" and "favorable outcome"?

"Positive answer" refers to a direct, affirmative response, while "favorable outcome" refers to a beneficial result or consequence. The former is a reply, the latter is a result.