positive response

USAGE SUMMARY

"positive response" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a response which was affirmative, encouraging, or otherwise affirming. For example, "John's boss gave him a positive response when he asked to take the day off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A small study showed a positive response.

The Economist

A. There was a warm, positive response.

The New York Times

There was nothing but positive response.

The New York Times

There has been some positive response.

The Guardian

India owes Pakistan a positive response.

The New York Times

It got a really positive response.

The Guardian - Film

"It" gets a surprisingly positive response.

The Guardian - Music

It has been a really positive response.

The Guardian

They received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public.

The Guardian - Opinion

Overall we had a pretty positive response", she explains.

The Guardian

The little negativity was dwarfed by the hugely positive response.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, quantify the "positive response" when possible, e.g., "The initiative received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community."

Common error

While "positive response" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can make it sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "favorable reaction" or "affirmative reply" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positive response" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "positive" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "response". It describes the nature of the reaction or answer being conveyed. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

HuffPost

3%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "positive response" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate an affirmative, encouraging, or approving reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its function is to express approval or agreement, and it maintains a neutral register, fitting diverse contexts from news media to scientific publications. While versatile, remember to vary your word choice, especially in formal writing, by using synonyms like "favorable reaction" or "affirmative answer" to avoid repetition and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

favorable reaction

Replaces "response" with "reaction", implying a positive feeling or action.

good feedback

A simpler substitute for "positive response".

affirmative answer

Substitutes "response" with "answer", suggesting a direct and positive reply to a question.

encouraging feedback

Replaces "positive" with "encouraging" and "response" with "feedback", focusing on the supportive nature of the reply.

supportive reaction

Highlights the supportive nature of the reaction.

warm reception

Uses "reception" instead of "response", suggesting a friendly and enthusiastic welcome.

agreeable reply

Emphasizes the agreement aspect of the response.

enthusiastic welcome

Indicates a particularly excited and positive greeting.

favorable outcome

Focuses on the positive result or consequence of something.

promising development

Suggests a positive turn of events or progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "positive response" to describe an encouraging or affirmative reaction. For example, "The new policy received a "positive response" from the employees".

What can I say instead of "positive response"?

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

Is it redundant to say "very positive response"?

While not strictly redundant, "very positive response" can often be simplified to alternatives like "enthusiastic welcome", or "warm reception" for a stronger impact.

What's the difference between "positive response" and "positive reaction"?

The phrases "positive response" and "positive reaction" are often used interchangeably, with little to no difference in meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.