that was negative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was negative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement, action, or situation that had a negative connotation or outcome. Example: "The feedback from the client was that it was negative, which prompted us to rethink our approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And something that was negative in the beginning has become very positive toward the end.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We wouldn't have wanted to do it if it felt sensationalised or engendered a response that was negative," he argues.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Everyone who ever played under him has a Burt Beagle story; I have never heard one that was negative.

The New York Times

I've never encountered anybody in my age group that was negative about the fact that I don't drive – sometimes people are surprised; in general they don't care".

The Guardian - Business

"The only thing that was negative" about the attendant buzz, he said, "was that it was more about the people than the actual painting itself".

The New York Times

"When I prayed about the decision, when I visited the campus, I didn't believe what other people told me" that was negative about the university, she said, "because I experienced firsthand the love of the Lord" through faculty and students.

The New York Times

Its media editor, Sharri Markson, cherry-picked enough that was negative in the report to make a front page story about "Shallow lobbyists at home on ABC" and a big spread inside including an interview with Harris.

The Guardian

"At the convention, he did a better job of concealing anything that was negative, if he had anything to begin with," said Wilma Akins, 69, a retired office manager in Statesboro, Ga.

The New York Times

Britain can sell debt to investors cheaply: its latest auction offered debt with an interest rate that was negative, once inflation is accounted for; even then demand outstripped supply.

The Economist

The patient underwent magnetic resonance imaging that was negative for visceral metastasis.

Surgical Case Reports

We inserted an endoscope to act as a stent during transverse closure of the esophagus and performed a leak test that was negative (Fig. 2d).

Surgical Case Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that was negative", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being evaluated as negative. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the aspect or outcome being assessed.

Common error

Avoid using "that was negative" without providing specific details about why something is considered negative. Overgeneralizations can lead to misunderstandings and lack of constructive feedback. Always clarify the specific issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was negative" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing a subject as having unfavorable or undesirable qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used and accepted. It offers a direct assessment of something, labeling it as adverse or detrimental.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that was negative" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something unfavorable or adverse. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples across diverse fields like science and news media. While seemingly straightforward, it is important to ensure the context provides enough detail to avoid overgeneralizations, as specified in the usage guidelines. Alternatives like "that proved unfavorable" or "that turned detrimental" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings, adjusting the emphasis on the type of negativity. The usage patterns reveal its prevalence in both scientific and journalistic contexts, underlining its versatility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that proved unfavorable

Replaces "negative" with "unfavorable", emphasizing the disappointing or disadvantageous nature of the situation.

that turned detrimental

Substitutes "negative" with "detrimental", highlighting the harmful or damaging consequences.

that resulted poorly

Focuses on the poor outcome or unsuccessful result of the situation.

that ended adversely

Emphasizes the adverse or unfavorable conclusion of the matter.

that became problematic

Highlights the emergence of problems or difficulties associated with the situation.

that was disadvantageous

Directly states that the situation or outcome was not advantageous or beneficial.

that was counterproductive

Indicates that the action or situation achieved the opposite of the intended result.

that proved disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment resulting from the situation or outcome.

that created issues

Highlights the creation of problems or difficulties as a consequence.

that was regrettable

Expresses that the situation or outcome is a cause for regret or sorrow.

FAQs

How can I use "that was negative" in a sentence?

Use "that was negative" to describe something with adverse or unfavorable qualities. For example, "The review of the product was negative, which led to declining sales."

What are some alternatives to "that was negative"?

You can use alternatives like "that proved unfavorable", "that turned detrimental", or "that resulted poorly" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "that was negative" or "that was not positive"?

"That was negative" is generally more direct and clear. "That was not positive" can sometimes sound softer, but it may also be less precise. The best choice depends on the desired tone and the specific context.

In what contexts is "that was negative" most appropriate?

The phrase "that was negative" is suitable in various contexts, including providing feedback, assessing results, or describing events with unfavorable outcomes. It is common in both professional and academic settings.