positively said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "positively said" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when emphasizing that something was stated in a positive manner, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "She positively said that she would support the project, which encouraged the team."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Sometimes you've got to take it positively," said Czerkawski, who also played sparingly Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

"They did not respond to us positively," said Charles Flateman, the show's executive producer.

The New York Times

"The Conservatives were hamstrung by their ludicrous migration cap and the inability to talk positively," said Straw.

The Guardian

Price has an impact, negatively or positively," said João Breda, WHO Europe's programme manager for nutrition, physical activity and obesity.

The Guardian

"China views Mrs Obama's trip most positively," said Shen Dingli, professor of international relations at Fudan University in Shanghai.

The Guardian

"I knew the best way I could help the team was to play quite positively," said Broad.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

One quarter of 570 bird species studied globally have been affected negatively by climate change, while 13% have responded positively, says the study by Birdlife International.

The Guardian

It means the earliest place where we can positively say this ancestor was physically present on a specific date when he personally created his earliest-known record.

The New York Times

"I can't positively say he was starved, but I would bet he was in an extreme state of malnutrition," Dr. Graber said.

The New York Times

Michael Whouley, a senior political strategist who went to the Democratic committee from the Gore campaign, put it positively, saying that Congressional figures amplified Mr. Gore's message and helped focus the convention on legislative issues.

The New York Times

Peter Hain, Britain's secretary of state for Northern Ireland, responded positively, saying there had been a "sea change" and that he had restored $700,000 in grants for travel and office expenses to Sinn Fein's elected officials.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "positively said", ensure it adds emphasis to the positive nature of the statement, rather than simply indicating affirmation. Consider stronger alternatives like "categorically stated" or "firmly asserted" for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "positively said" as a generic substitute for "said". It's best reserved for instances where the positive manner of speaking is a key characteristic of the statement. Otherwise, simpler verbs like "stated", "affirmed", or "confirmed" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "positively said" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a verb, describing the manner in which something was stated. It aims to highlight the affirmative and confident nature of the speech. As noted by Ludwig, it's not a standard expression, suggesting it's used to emphasize the speaker's certainty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "positively said" is a grammatically acceptable but uncommon phrase used to emphasize the affirmative and confident nature of a statement. Ludwig highlights that it is not a standard expression. While it appears in various contexts like News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki, it is best used sparingly to add specific emphasis. For clearer and more conventional alternatives, consider phrases like "firmly stated" or "categorically asserted". Overall, ensure that its use genuinely enhances the meaning and impact of the statement rather than being a mere substitute for simpler verbs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firmly stated

Emphasizes the strength and decisiveness of the statement.

categorically asserted

Highlights the lack of ambiguity or condition in the assertion.

emphatically declared

Focuses on the forceful expression of the statement.

unequivocally affirmed

Stresses the absence of doubt or reservation in the confirmation.

resolutely maintained

Highlights the unwavering commitment to the statement.

definitely confirmed

Implies a certain and secure validation of something.

expressly mentioned

Focuses on explicitly bringing something to attention.

clearly indicated

Highlights the unambiguous nature of the communication.

assuredly conveyed

Emphasizes the confidence with which the message was delivered.

vehemently expressed

Highlights the intensity and passion of the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "positively said" in a sentence?

"Positively said" is used to emphasize that a statement was made in a confident or affirmative manner. For instance, "She "positively said" that she would support the project." However, consider more common alternatives for clarity.

What can I say instead of "positively said"?

You can use alternatives like "firmly stated", "categorically asserted", or "emphatically declared" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "positively said" or "stated positively"?

Both "positively said" and "stated positively" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different emphasis. "Positively said" emphasizes the manner of speaking, while "stated positively" emphasizes the content of the statement. However, "stated positively" is more common.

Is "positively said" a common phrase?

While grammatically sound, "positively said" is not a commonly used phrase. More direct and conventional alternatives like "clearly indicated" or "confidently asserted" are generally preferred for better clarity and flow.