staying positive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "staying positive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing maintaining an optimistic attitude or outlook, especially in challenging situations. Example: "Even though the project faced numerous setbacks, she remained focused on staying positive and encouraging her team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It was staying positive.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm staying positive".

The New York Times

"We're all about staying positive".

The New York Times

Just staying positive, pretty much.

The New York Times - Sports

"But I'm staying positive about it".

Independent

Staying positive was important, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, staying positive isn't always easy.

The Guardian

"It's a message of hope, staying positive".

The New York Times

This morning the organisers were staying positive.

The Guardian - Film

"They've done a good job of staying positive," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

He's doing well and he's staying positive, which pleases me.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When facing adversity, actively practice gratitude to shift your focus towards positive aspects and facilitate "staying positive".

Common error

Avoid using "staying positive" as a blanket solution to complex problems. Acknowledge challenges realistically before attempting to adopt a positive outlook. Blindly "staying positive" can be seen as dismissive or insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "staying positive" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. Ludwig examples show it often serves as the subject or part of the predicate, emphasizing the action of maintaining a positive outlook. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "staying positive" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase used to express the importance of maintaining an optimistic outlook. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase encourages resilience. While "staying positive" is generally beneficial, it’s important to acknowledge challenges realistically and not oversimplify complex problems. Alternatives include "maintaining optimism" or "keeping a positive attitude". Remember to use "staying positive" to inspire perseverance and mindful problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintaining optimism

Focuses on the act of keeping a positive outlook, similar to "staying positive" but more formal.

keeping a positive attitude

Emphasizes attitude as the key element, rather than the state of being positive itself.

remaining optimistic

Highlights the continuation of optimism over time.

keeping your chin up

An idiomatic expression suggesting resilience and a positive demeanor in difficult times.

looking on the bright side

Implies focusing on the positive aspects of a situation, often ignoring the negative.

cultivating positivity

Highlights active effort to create and maintain a positive mindset.

fostering a positive outlook

Suggests nurturing a positive perspective.

adopting a positive mindset

Focuses on making a conscious decision to think positively.

thinking optimistically

Emphasizes the act of thinking positively.

seeing the best in things

Focuses on finding positive elements in situations or circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "staying positive" to describe maintaining an optimistic attitude, such as "Despite the challenges, "staying positive" helped the team overcome obstacles".

What are some alternatives to "staying positive"?

Alternatives include "maintaining optimism", "keeping a positive attitude", or "remaining optimistic", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to focus on "staying positive"?

While generally beneficial, excessively focusing on "staying positive" can sometimes invalidate genuine concerns or negative emotions. It's important to balance positivity with realistic acknowledgment of challenges.

What's the difference between "staying positive" and "ignoring problems"?

"Staying positive" involves maintaining a good attitude while addressing issues. Ignoring problems means avoiding or denying issues exist, which is different from "staying positive" and finding solutions.