positive for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "positive for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in medical or testing contexts to indicate that a test result shows the presence of a particular condition or substance. Example: "The patient tested positive for the flu virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's positive for gold".

The New York Times

It's positive for her.

The New York Times

That's very positive for us".

Independent

It was positive for Ebola.

The New Yorker

It's a positive for us.

The New York Times - Sports

She tested positive for Ebola.

The New Yorker

It was positive for me.

The New Yorker

She tested positive for H.I.V.

The New York Times - Books

Both tested positive for DMAA.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's not positive for stocks".

The New York Times

I'm very positive for once.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical test results, use "positive for" to clearly indicate the presence of a specific condition or substance. For example, "The sample tested "positive for" antibodies."

Common error

Avoid assuming "positive for" always implies a desirable outcome. In medical contexts, it often indicates the presence of a disease or unwanted substance. Ensure the context makes it clear whether the positive result is beneficial or detrimental.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positive for" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state or condition with respect to a specific test or evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used to indicate a test result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "positive for" is a versatile term commonly used to report a finding, often in medical or testing contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it correctly describes the state or condition in a particular test. While it's grammatically sound and appears frequently across various sources, the implications of testing "positive for" something can vary greatly depending on the context. Therefore, it's essential to consider the broader scenario when interpreting results. It is a common phrase found in "News & Media", "Science" and "Formal & Business"

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advantageous to

Replaces "positive" with a synonym emphasizing benefit, changing the preposition to "to".

beneficial to

Similar to "advantageous to", focusing on the helpful aspect but uses a different adjective and preposition.

favorable to

Indicates a supportive or approving stance, altering the adjective while keeping the preposition.

good for

A more general and informal way of expressing benefit or suitability.

supportive of

Shifts the focus to providing support rather than direct benefit, also changing the preposition.

constructive for

Highlights the building or improving aspect of being "positive".

auspicious for

A more formal term indicating favorable circumstances or good fortune.

promising for

Suggests potential future benefits or success.

optimistic about

Focuses on a feeling of hope and confidence about something.

encouraging for

Indicates that something gives hope or support.

FAQs

How is "positive for" typically used in medical contexts?

In medicine, "positive for" indicates the presence of a specific substance, condition, or disease. For example, a patient might test "positive for" a virus, meaning the virus was detected in their system.

What are some situations where being "positive for" something is not desirable?

In medical testing, being "positive for" a disease like Ebola or HIV indicates infection. In drug testing, it indicates the presence of prohibited substances. Therefore, context is crucial in understanding the implications.

Are there alternatives to "positive for" that maintain a similar meaning?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use phrases like "indicates the presence of" or "shows a positive result for". However, "positive for" is often the most direct and widely understood option.

What's the difference between "tested positive for" and "tested negative for"?

"Tested positive for" means a test identified the presence of something, while "tested negative for" means the test did not detect that specific substance or condition. Both are used in medical and other testing scenarios.