positive reply

USAGE SUMMARY

"positive reply" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are responding to someone in a positive manner. For example, "Thanks for considering my request. I appreciate your positive reply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

A positive reply was received, he said, on Friday.

The New York Times

At the moment, we are desperately awaiting a positive reply to this but we think it is unlikely.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is true, too, that when someone asks how we are and we are inclined to give a positive reply, we can sincerely say "I'm very well, thanks".

The Guardian - Books

A pit in the ground" – a post that Jardine not only did not delete, but responded to with a 'Like', as well as a positive reply.

The Guardian

Seeking in particular to secure a positive reply from the Palestinian leader, Yasir Arafat, the official said, Mr. Clinton spoke with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

The New York Times

We had almost given up on that channel working out till eventually, we received a positive reply.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He received quite a few negative and positive replies.

The New York Times

The group's co-founder Donnachadh McCarthy was surprised by the positive replies.

The Guardian

Microsoft approached "a select few" technology companies to support the deal, mostly those whose products would obviously also benefit from wider data pipelines, and received quick and positive replies, Mr. Humphries said.

The New York Times

I wrote approximately 10 letters and got two positive replies in which representatives of the management board expressed their interest.

Science Magazine

"I think most people who are in tech believe that ultimately tech is positive," replies Zennström, although he says that it is not a new debate.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the nature of the positive reply, consider adding context. For example: "a positive reply regarding the funding request" or "a positive reply indicating interest in the project".

Common error

Avoid using "positive reply" when the response is simply neutral or informative, rather than genuinely affirmative or favorable. Using it in the wrong context can misrepresent the sentiment of the reply.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positive reply" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "positive" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "reply". As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is both correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science & Research

6%

EU Parlament

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "positive reply" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a favorable, encouraging, or affirmative response. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from news articles to business communications. While alternatives like "affirmative response" or "favorable answer" exist, the phrase itself remains a clear and concise way to convey a sense of approval or support. Remember to consider the specific context and the level of emphasis required when choosing between "positive reply" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affirmative response

Replaces "reply" with "response", emphasizing the act of responding affirmatively.

favorable answer

Substitutes "reply" with "answer" and "positive" with "favorable", highlighting the advantageous nature of the response.

encouraging feedback

Changes "reply" to "feedback", suggesting a more detailed and supportive response.

agreeable answer

Replaces "positive" with "agreeable", focusing on the alignment or concurrence expressed in the answer.

supportive feedback

Similar to "encouraging feedback", but emphasizing the supportive nature of the information received.

approval confirmation

Focuses on the act of confirming approval rather than simply replying positively.

acceptance notification

Highlights the acceptance aspect, particularly in formal contexts.

favorable decision

Emphasizes a positive outcome in decision-making scenarios.

promising acknowledgement

Suggests that the acknowledgement carries positive potential.

affirmative acknowledgement

This uses the word "affirmative" which implies a "yes" answer of some kind

FAQs

What does "positive reply" mean?

A "positive reply" indicates a response that is favorable, encouraging, or affirmative. It suggests that the answer or feedback received is beneficial or well-received.

What can I say instead of "positive reply"?

You can use alternatives like "affirmative response", "favorable answer", or "encouraging feedback" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very positive reply"?

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "very positive reply" can sometimes be redundant. The word "positive" already implies a good or favorable response. If you want to emphasize the strength of the positivity, consider using alternatives like "highly favorable reply" or "extremely encouraging response".

How to use "positive reply" in a sentence?

You can use "positive reply" in sentences like: "We received a "positive reply" from the client regarding the proposal", or "The manager gave a "positive reply" to my request for vacation time".