positive balance

USAGE SUMMARY

"positive balance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation or account where the amount owed is less than the amount available, often in the context of finances or banking. For example, "At the end of the month, my bank account had a positive balance of $50."

✓ Grammatically correct

Finance

Trade

Health

Ecology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There has to be a positive balance".

The New Yorker

Assets typically have a debit (positive) balance.

Stanford University

The positive balance was the highest since August, and beat City expectations.

The Guardian - Business

We have been in positive balance for more than five years.

The Guardian - Money

Is a "competitive" nation one with a large positive balance of trade?

Harvard Business Review

Many start-ups — even those with brilliant solutions — still don't have a positive balance sheet.

Harvard Business Review

Italy began showing a positive balance again in the mid-1990s.

Britannica

Similarly, the positive balance for firms reporting rising output, at +29%, was the strongest since January 1995.

The Guardian - Business

Its exceptional growth rate and positive balance of trade has made it possible to service external debt commitments.

The Guardian - Opinion

But if Clinton operatives know how to go negative, they don't have the positive balance of a 21st-century message.

The New York Times

But according to official statistics, the United States still has a slightly positive balance on investment income.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, ensure that "positive balance" clearly indicates an excess of assets over liabilities or income over expenses.

Common error

Avoid using "positive balance" loosely to describe general positive feelings or attitudes. Instead, reserve it for contexts where a quantifiable surplus or advantage exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positive balance" functions primarily as a descriptive term. It specifies a condition where something has a surplus, gain, or excess. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used to describe financial accounts, trade, or energy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "positive balance" is a common and grammatically correct term used across various contexts to describe a favorable condition, typically in financial, trade, or energy-related scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, indicating that it accurately conveys the presence of a surplus or advantage. It is crucial to maintain clarity and precision when using this phrase, especially in formal or technical settings. The phrase's versatility is demonstrated by its frequent occurrence in news, scientific literature, and encyclopedias, showing its wide applicability in describing states of surplus across diverse domains. Be careful not to extend its use into areas where it simply indicates positivity but does not truly represent a surplus in assets, trade, or energy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Favorable balance

Replaces "positive" with a synonym, maintaining the core meaning of a surplus or advantage.

Net gain

Highlights the overall profit or benefit achieved.

Net surplus

Emphasizes the overall excess or gain after accounting for deductions or losses.

Healthy surplus

Highlights the robustness and positive nature of the excess.

Advantageous position

Shifts the focus to the beneficial state resulting from a positive outcome.

Credit balance

Focuses on financial contexts where there is a "positive balance".

Surplus value

Emphasizes the amount exceeding what is necessary or expected.

Trade surplus

Specifically refers to a "positive balance" in international trade.

Beneficial outcome

Shifts the focus to the favorable results achieved.

Positive cash flow

Relates to business contexts when inflow of cash is higher than outflow.

FAQs

How to use "positive balance" in a sentence?

Use "positive balance" to describe situations where the amount available is greater than the amount owed. For instance, "After the deposit, my account showed a "positive balance"."

What can I say instead of "positive balance"?

You can use alternatives like "favorable balance", "net surplus", or "advantageous position depending on the context."

Which is correct, "positive balance" or "negative balance"?

"Positive balance" indicates more assets than liabilities, while "negative balance" indicates the opposite. Both are correct, depending on the situation.

What's the difference between "positive balance" and "zero balance"?

"Positive balance" signifies a surplus, while "zero balance" means that assets and liabilities are equal; there is neither a surplus nor a deficit.