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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
was positively received
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The part of sentence "was positively received" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where someone or something has been well-received. For example: The new movie was positively received by both critics and general audiences alike.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(17)
met with approval
enjoyed a favorable reception
was well received
was greeted warmly
was welcomed with open arms
was favorably reviewed
gained acceptance
resonated well
struck a chord
was successfully received
was sympathetically received
was favorably received
was enthusiastically received
was formally received
was better received
was warmly received
was favourably received
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
It was positively received and after some discussion it was largely agreed.
News & Media
It nevertheless raised £33,500 and was positively received with a cover designed by The Cure's Robert Smith being the most sought after.
News & Media
Despite fears it would not work as it was quintessentially BBC, the series was positively received and audiences warmed to the new hosts, Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding.
News & Media
The most recent version, dubbed Mango, was positively received by most analysts and the media.
News & Media
The strong consensus from COP21, which also included Bill Gates' announcement of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, was positively received by clean energy investors and venture capitalists.
News & Media
Schlumberger's recent $11.34 billion all-stock deal to acquire Smith International was positively received by many analysts.
News & Media
Quality of service The facility to have multiple copies of datasets dispersed across multiple physical locations and multiple commercial storage providers was positively received.
Science
She said a draft agreement for the parties had been put on the table taking on board many hours of discussions and that it was positively received.
News & Media
The character was positively received.
Wiki
The game was positively received.
Wiki
The episode was positively received.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "was positively received" when you want to emphasize a generally favorable reaction to something, rather than focusing on specific aspects of approval. It's suitable for summarizing overall sentiment.
Common error
While "was positively received" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive voice in your writing. Sometimes, active voice (e.g., "Critics praised the film") can make your writing more direct and engaging.
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
Passive construction indicating favorable reception. "Was positively received" functions as a verbal phrase where the subject experienced a beneficial reaction from an external agent. Ludwig's examples confirm its common usage in diverse contexts.
Frequent in
Wiki
43%
News & Media
40%
Science
17%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "was positively received" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate that something has been met with approval or a favorable reaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in describing the reception of new ideas, products, or events. Analysis of Ludwig's examples shows that the phrase appears frequently in news, media and Wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral tone that suits both formal and informal communication. While perfectly acceptable, remember to balance its use with active voice constructions to keep your writing dynamic. Alternatives such as "met with approval" or "was well-regarded" can add variety while retaining the core meaning.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
met with approval
Indicates agreement or satisfaction, slightly more formal.
was well-regarded
Highlights respect and good opinion, focusing on reputation.
enjoyed a favorable reception
Emphasizes the welcoming nature of the response, more formal.
was greeted warmly
Suggests an enthusiastic and friendly welcome.
was welcomed with open arms
Highlights enthusiastic acceptance, often used metaphorically.
was favorably reviewed
Specifically refers to positive evaluations or critiques.
gained acceptance
Focuses on the process of being accepted, rather than the immediate reaction.
was embraced
Suggests a strong, enthusiastic acceptance.
resonated well
Indicates a positive emotional or intellectual connection.
struck a chord
Implies emotional resonance and positive impact.
FAQs
How can I use "was positively received" in a sentence?
You can use "was positively received" to describe how something was welcomed or accepted. For example, "The new policy /s/was+positively+received by the staff" or "Her proposal /s/was+positively+received at the meeting".
What are some alternatives to saying "was positively received"?
Alternatives include phrases like "met with approval", "was well-regarded", or "enjoyed a favorable reception", each offering a slightly different nuance.
Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how something was received?
While "was positively received" is in the passive voice, using the active voice can sometimes be more impactful. For instance, instead of "The presentation /s/was+positively+received", you could say "The audience welcomed the presentation enthusiastically".
What's the difference between "was positively received" and "was well-received"?
The phrases "was positively received" and "was well received" are very similar in meaning. "Was positively received" might slightly emphasize the degree of approval, but they are largely interchangeable.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested