What is negative? Pronunciation and usage in English

negative means . Learn how to pronounce and use negative through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of negative

negativeadjective

/ˈnɛɡətɪv/
Definition & pronunciation of negative

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "negative" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

The Standard Pronunciation (Most Common):

  • ne - pronounced like "neh" (as in "net")
  • ga - pronounced like "guh" (as in "gum")
  • ˈtiv - pronounced like "tih-v" (stress is on the second syllable—the "tih")

Putting it together: neh-guh-tih-v

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

  1. “ne”: The “ne” sound is similar to the "neh" in the word "net." It's a short, quick "eh" sound.

  2. “ga”: This is a simple "guh" sound, like in the word "gum."

  3. “ˈtiv”: This is the tricky part for some!

    • The ˈ symbol indicates primary stress. This means this syllable is the loudest and emphasized.
    • "tih" – Pronounce this like "tee" followed by a short “ih” sound (like in “bit”).
    • "-v" – This is a soft, almost silent "v" sound. Don’t really pronounce it as a full “v.” It's more a slight release of air.

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced. Here are some resources:

  • Break it down: Practice each part separately before putting it all together.

  • Focus on the stress: The emphasis on the second syllable ("tih") is crucial.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning the language?
  • Do you have a particular accent you're trying to match (e.g., American, British)?

Usage and examples with the word negative in English

Let's break down how to use the word "negative" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and applications. Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. As an Adjective (Describing something undesirable):

  • Meaning: Unfavorable, bad, undesirable, not good. This is probably the most common use.
  • Examples:
    • "I received a negative review of my book." (The review was bad)
    • "The company’s financial results were negative." (They were poor)
    • "He had a negative attitude towards the project." (He was pessimistic or unfriendly)
    • "She expressed negative feelings about the changes." (She felt bad about them)
    • "There was a negative impact on the environment." (It was harmful)

2. As a Prefix (Added to words to change their meaning):

  • Meaning: Indicates a lack of, absence of, or opposition to something.
  • Common Prefixes with "Negative":
    • Negative Ion: An ion with a net negative charge.
    • Negative Space: The empty space around and between objects, used to define the shape of an object. (Think of the negative space in a logo design.)
    • Negative Result: A result that is unfavorable or doesn't show the desired outcome.
    • Negative Thinking: Thinking in a pessimistic or critical way.
    • Negative Feedback: A process that inhibits or reduces the original stimulus. (Used in science, often in biological systems.)
    • Negative Balance: Having more debt than assets.

3. In Photography & Film:

  • Meaning: A black and white image that blocks out the light, creating a dark shape on photographic paper.
  • Example: “The photographer used a negative to create the final print.”

4. In Math & Logic:

  • Meaning: A statement that denies a proposition. It’s the opposite of a positive statement.
  • Examples:
    • "The negative of the statement 'All cats can fly' is 'Not all cats can fly.'"
    • "In logic, a negative statement is represented with a symbol like '~' or '¬'."

5. As a Verb (Less Common, but Possible):

  • Meaning: To express disapproval or objection.
  • Examples:
    • "He negated the rumors with a clear statement." (He denied them.)
    • "The judge negated the defendant’s claim." (He rejected it.) (Note: “Negate” is a more formal synonym for "deny.")

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Usage Meaning Example
Adjective Unfavorable, bad A negative experience.
Prefix Lack of, absence of Negative pressure.
Photography Dark image A negative print.
Math/Logic Denies a statement A negative proposition.
Verb To deny, reject The company negated the allegations.

Tips for using "Negative" Effectively:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "negative" depends heavily on how it’s used in a sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like “bad,” “unfavorable,” “undesirable,” “poor,” “denying,” “rejecting” depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
  • Be mindful of tone: "Negative" can sometimes sound critical or pessimistic.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What is the context in which you want to use the word "negative"? (e.g., are you writing an essay, having a conversation, describing a situation?)

Synonyms for the word negative

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