What is positive? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of positive

positiveadjective

/ˈpɒzɪtɪv/
Definition & pronunciation of positive

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "positive" in English. Here's a breakdown and tips:

1. The Basic Pronunciation:

  • puh-ZAH-tiv

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • puh: Like the "puh" in "cup" or "push." A short, quick "uh" sound.
  • ZAH: This is the tricky part! It’s a slightly stressed "z" sound, almost like the "s" in "treasure," but with a bit more emphasis and a slightly rounded mouth. Think of it as a short, bright "ah" sound. It’s not like the "a" in "cat."
  • tiv: Like the "tiv" in "active" or "inventive."

2. Key Points & Tips:

  • Stress: The second syllable ("ZAH") is stressed. This is where the emphasis should be.
  • The "Z" Sound: This is the most common mistake. It's not a standard "z" like in "zoo." Practice saying "treasure" and then trying to make that 'z' sound a little brighter and more emphatic. You can also say "zebra" to really hear the difference.
  • Don't over-emphasize: It's a fairly quick and clipped pronunciation. Don't linger too long on any one syllable.

3. Resources to Hear It:

  • Google Translate: Go to Google Translate, type "positive," and click the speaker icon to hear a native speaker pronounce it.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/positive/ – This site lets you hear pronunciations from native speakers around the world.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce positive" on YouTube - you'll find many videos demonstrating the correct pronunciation.

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

  • Are you learning American English or British English? (Pronunciation can vary slightly)

Usage and examples with the word positive in English

Let's break down how to use the word "positive" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown by category:

1. As an Adjective – Meaning Good or Beneficial:

  • General Positive Feelings: This is the most common usage.

    • "I'm feeling positive about the future." (Optimistic)
    • "She has a positive attitude." (Cheerful, optimistic)
    • "It's positive to see so many people volunteering." (Good/beneficial)
    • "The news was positive." (Good news)

  • Concerning Health:

    • "The doctor said the tests came back positive." (Meaning indicating something is present, like a disease or a pregnancy.)
    • “He’s been positive about his recovery.” (Improving, getting better)

2. As an Adjective – Meaning Certain or Definite:

  • Confirming Information:
    • “The police are treating the evidence as positive.” (Definite, certain)
    • “I had a positive identification of the suspect.” (Confirmed identification)

3. As an Adverb – Meaning In a Beneficial Way:

  • Focusing on the Good:
    • "He approached the problem with a positive mindset." (With a good, optimistic approach)
    • “Let's look at the positive aspects of the situation." (Focus on the good things)

4. As a Verb – Meaning To Confirm or Validate:

  • Confirming Something is Present:

    • “The test was positive for the virus.” (The test confirmed that the virus is present.)
    • “The security guard positively identified the thief.” (He certainly and definitively identified the thief.)

  • To Express Confidence/Agreement (More Formal): This usage is less common now but still used.

    • “I positively agree with you.” (Meaning: I strongly agree.)

5. "Positive Thinking" – A Concept:

  • This is a whole category in itself. "Positive thinking" refers to the practice of focusing on optimistic thoughts and beliefs to improve mood, motivation, and overall well-being.

    • “Practicing positive thinking can help you overcome challenges.”

Tips for Using "Positive" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of “positive” depends entirely on how it's used in the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider synonyms like “good,” “optimistic,” “certain,” “definite,” “beneficial,” “favorable,” “affirming,” “confirming” to vary your language.

Examples Putting it All Together:

  • "After a positive screening, she received immediate medical attention." (Health – confirming the presence of something)
  • "The team’s positive energy was infectious.” (Feeling/attitude)
  • “We need to remain positive even when things get tough.” (Optimistic outlook)
  • "The police are positively certain that he’s the one who broke into the store." (Certainty)

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

  • What are you trying to use "positive" in? (e.g., a sentence, a paragraph, a conversation?)
  • What is the context of the situation? (e.g., health, work, personal life?)

Synonyms for the word positive

Practice with vocabulary positive

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Despite the unexpected challenges, her ______ outlook helped the team maintain high morale and focus on solutions.
  2. The company's new remote work policy had a demonstrably ______ impact on employee satisfaction and productivity.
  3. The manager provided ______ feedback on my presentation, highlighting areas for improvement rather than just criticism.
  4. Before launching the new product, we need ______ confirmation from legal counsel that all regulations are met.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. The latest economic indicators point to a ______ trend in consumer spending, suggesting a recovery. A) upward B) positive C) favorable D) ambivalent
  2. Even when facing significant obstacles, it's crucial to maintain a ______ attitude to inspire your team. A) cheerful B) optimistic C) positive D) nonchalant
  3. The initial laboratory tests for the new treatment were ______ for detecting the specific antibodies. A) conclusive B) positive C) affirming D) negative
  4. During the board meeting, the motion was passed by a majority vote in the ______. A) affirmative B) constructive C) decisive D) proactive
  5. Developing strong communication skills is highly ______ for career advancement in any professional field. A) advantageous B) prolific C) detrimental D) profitable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. She consistently finds good things in every situation, no matter how challenging.
    • (Rewrite the sentence using "positive" or a related word form.)
  2. The introduction of flexible working hours significantly improved the work-life balance for many employees.
    • (Rewrite the sentence using "positive" or a related word form.)
  3. His helpful and encouraging remarks helped me to perform better.
    • (Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "positive" or any of its forms.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. positive
  2. positive
  3. constructive
  4. definite

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) upward, B) positive, C) favorable
  2. A) cheerful, B) optimistic, C) positive
  3. A) conclusive, B) positive
  4. A) affirmative
  5. A) advantageous, D) profitable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. She consistently maintains a positive outlook in every situation, no matter how challenging.
  2. The introduction of flexible working hours had a positive impact on the work-life balance for many employees.
  3. His constructive remarks helped me to perform better.

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