take a negative stance

USAGE SUMMARY

"take a negative stance" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to taking a position against something, for example: "The mayor took a negative stance on the proposed new taxes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It made sense to him to take a negative stance on shares, given its sole focus on memory and significant customer concentration.

Forbes

Using a knowledgeable tax professional who can help establish "substantial authority" for the position can potentially save you from the 20% accuracy related penalty if the IRS decides to take a negative stance.

Forbes

Considering "a lot of equations" against the background of reliving her troubles with course exams may have primed Ashlyn to take a negative stance (affectively and epistemologically!) toward equations.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

During the technology-stock bubble of the late 1990s, Mr. Paulson took a negative stance on high-flying shares and profited handsomely for himself and his clients.

The New York Times

The research analyst said investors are taking a negative stance on the fact SanDisk does not receive flash-memory royalties from Intel or Micron.

Forbes

Several investors and Bitcoin-related startups said, however, that Apple has taken a negative stance toward the digital currency for a while, and expect the drop in value to be temporary.

TechCrunch

S.& P.'s move came just weeks after both it and its rival ratings agency, Moody's, cautioned that they might take a more negative stance on the United States.

The New York Times

Logic, according to Brentano, is the practical discipline that is concerned with judgments; i.e. with the class of mental phenomena in which we take a positive or a negative stance towards the (existence of the) object by affirming or denying it.

SEP

Thus, while judgments and emotions consist in taking either a positive or a negative stance, the value of a presentation is always positive, but comes in degrees: some presentations are of higher value than others.

SEP

You start taking a blaming, negative stance towards your own mind.

The Guardian - Tech

The company's report takes "a strongly negative stance", arguing that the fallout could include impacts on the company's reputation, to criminal prosecution of Lonmin officials and short-term pressures on its stock.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a negative stance", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being opposed and why. Providing supporting evidence or reasoning strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "take a negative stance" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "disagree" or "oppose" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a negative stance" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the adoption of an opposing or critical position towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a negative stance" is a grammatically correct expression used to denote opposition or disapproval towards something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is valid in written English. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "disagree", it carries a formal tone and is well-suited for news, academic, and professional contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, as shown in the Ludwig examples. When using "take a negative stance", ensure clarity about the subject of opposition to maximize effective communication. Related phrases, such as "express disapproval" or "voice opposition", offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adopt an opposing viewpoint

Focuses on the viewpoint itself, rather than the action of taking a stance.

express disapproval

Emphasizes the expression of negative feelings or opinions.

be critical of

Highlights a critical assessment or judgment.

voice opposition

Emphasizes the act of speaking out against something.

disagree strongly

Focuses on the disagreement itself, rather than a position.

express a dissenting opinion

Highlights the expression of an opinion that differs from the majority.

reject the idea

Focuses on the act of refusing to accept or consider an idea.

take exception to

Implies a personal objection or offense taken.

oppose actively

Emphasizes active resistance or opposition.

be against

A simpler, more direct way of expressing opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "take a negative stance" in a sentence?

You can use "take a negative stance" to describe someone expressing opposition to an idea or proposal, such as, "The committee members "took a negative stance" on the proposed budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "take a negative stance"?

Some alternatives include "express disapproval", "be critical of", or "voice opposition".

Is it appropriate to use "take a negative stance" in formal writing?

Yes, "take a negative stance" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing opinions or positions on a specific topic. However, ensure the tone remains objective and supported by evidence.

What's the difference between "take a negative stance" and "disagree"?

"Take a negative stance" is more formal and implies a deliberate and reasoned opposition, while "disagree" is a more general term for having a different opinion.