that was positive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was positive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, feedback, or experience that had a favorable or beneficial outcome. Example: "The feedback from the client was that was positive, which encouraged the team to continue their efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We had to make a few changes to come up with a gameplan that was positive, because we were in a difficult position after losing the first leg.

The Guardian - Sport

But Tortorella did not see much else that was positive.

The New York Times - Sports

Finally, we were all together again for something that was positive and not negative".

The New York Times - Sports

He saw it as something that was positive, that had to be done, that was merciful.

The Guardian - Film

"I felt that I've never seen anybody onstage talk about mixed families in a way that was positive," he said.

The Guardian

Toney was taking parenting and psychology classes, and the more he learned, the more he hungered for news about Nina that was positive.

The New York Times - Magazine

Daniel Kunstler, an analyst at J. P. Morgan, said that revenue only modestly exceeded his estimate but that in the current climate, that was positive.

The New York Times

And there was a school that was positive it was meant to run dry as a bone; these people were continually taking it off and wiping it.

The New Yorker

She said: "The fact it was an African story, one that was positive and heartwarming, we don't get many of those given this platform.

The Guardian - Film

"There's no sugarcoating it or trying to make something positive out of it, we didn't do anything that was positive.

The New York Times

"She wanted to make sure we did something that was positive, as opposed to just being about sadness," she said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was positive" to succinctly convey approval, satisfaction, or benefit derived from a situation or action. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "that was positive" repetitively within a short span. Diversify your vocabulary with synonyms like "that was beneficial" or "that was favorable" to add nuance and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was positive" serves as a declarative statement expressing a favorable assessment or approval of a preceding event, action, or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically sound expression. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts to convey a sense of satisfaction or benefit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was positive" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express approval or satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the examples illustrate its presence across diverse sources like news media and scientific publications. While versatile, diversifying with synonyms such as "that was beneficial" or "that was encouraging" can enhance writing. Remember that using alternatives are good for preventing overuse and for adding nuance. Overall, it is a reliable way to convey a favorable assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was beneficial

Replaces "positive" with "beneficial", emphasizing the helpful or advantageous aspect.

that was advantageous

Substitutes "positive" with "advantageous", highlighting the favorable or strategic nature.

that was helpful

Replaces "positive" with "helpful", focusing on the assistance provided.

that was favorable

Changes "positive" to "favorable", stressing the approval or support indicated.

that was encouraging

Substitutes "positive" with "encouraging", emphasizing the boost in confidence or motivation.

that was a good thing

Offers a more general expression of positivity, suitable for informal contexts.

that turned out well

Focuses on the successful outcome, rather than the inherent positivity.

that had a positive impact

Highlights the effect or influence of the action or situation, rather than its simple positivity.

that was a plus

Uses a more concise term "plus" to denote an advantage or benefit.

that worked out well

Focuses on the successful resolution or functionality.

FAQs

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

You can use "that was positive" to express approval or satisfaction with a past event or action. For example, "The feedback we received was positive, which indicates we're on the right track."

What are some alternatives to "that was positive"?

Depending on the specific context, alternatives include "that was beneficial", "that was encouraging", or "that was favorable".

When is it appropriate to use "that was positive" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "that was advantageous" or "that was instrumental" in business or academic contexts to maintain a professional tone.

How does "that was positive" differ from "that had a positive impact"?

"That was positive" is a general expression of approval, whereas "that had a positive impact" specifically highlights the resulting effect or influence, emphasizing a tangible outcome.