positive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "positive to" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically is used to mean that someone is in agreement with something or open to something. Example: I'm feeling positive to the idea of taking a short vacation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Please go to Positively Positive to read the original post.

Huffington Post

"They have nothing positive to offer".

The Guardian

They don't have anything positive to say.

The Guardian - Music

"He always found something positive to say.

The New York Times - Sports

Is there anything positive to be done?

The Guardian

I don't have anything positive to say".

The Guardian - Tech

Something positive to ease our embarrassment.

The Guardian

"He won't have anything positive to say," Sprewell said.

The New York Times - Sports

I want something positive to come out of it.

The New York Times - Books

The polarity had flipped from positive to negative.

The Guardian

There is something positive to take from this, however.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "positive to", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is being positive towards. For example, "The company is positive to new ideas" is clearer than "The company is positive."

Common error

Avoid using "positive to" when you mean simply "positive". "The test was positive" is correct; "The test was positive to the virus" implies a nuanced reaction or relationship that may not be intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positive to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a favorable attitude, agreement, or compatibility towards something. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase indicates agreement or openness. Examples in Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from scientific results to personal feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

31%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Huffington Post

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "positive to" is a versatile expression used to indicate a favorable attitude, agreement, or compatibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts, making it suitable for a range of writing styles. When using "positive to", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being regarded positively, and avoid using it when the simple adjective "positive" is more appropriate. Alternative phrases like ""receptive to"" or "agreeable to" can offer nuanced variations in meaning, based on the specific desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open to

Suggests a willingness to consider or accept something without prejudice.

receptive to

Emphasizes a willingness to receive or consider new ideas or suggestions.

agreeable to

Highlights a willingness to concur or comply with a proposal or idea.

well-disposed toward

Suggests a kindly or favorable attitude.

amenable to

Implies a willingness to be persuaded or controlled.

supportive of

Emphasizes active backing or encouragement.

sympathetic to

Indicates understanding and support for a particular viewpoint or situation.

inclined to

Expresses a tendency or predisposition towards something.

favoring

Indicates a preference or partiality.

optimistic about

Highlights a hopeful and confident outlook.

FAQs

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

You can use "positive to" to indicate a favorable attitude or reaction towards something. For example, "The community was "receptive to" the new development project."

What's the difference between "positive to" and "open to"?

"Positive to" generally implies a favorable or supportive stance, while "open to" suggests a willingness to consider something without necessarily being in favor of it yet. They are very similar though.

Is it always necessary to include what one is "positive to"?

Yes, for clarity, it's best to specify what someone or something is "positive to". Omitting this can lead to ambiguity. For example, "The results were positive" is clearer than just stating someone is "positive".

What are some alternative phrases for "positive to" in a formal context?

In a formal context, you might use alternatives like "supportive of", "agreeable to", or "well-disposed toward" to convey a similar meaning with slightly more formality.