in the affirmative

IPA/ɪnðɪ ɐfˈɜːmətˌɪv/
IPA/ɪnðɪ ɐfˈɜːmətˌɪv/

in the affirmative — idiom

1. in a way that expresses agreement or says 'yes'; used after verbs like answer, r

1.idiomB2
Definition

in a way that expresses agreement or says 'yes'; used after verbs like answer, reply, vote, or nod, especially in formal or official settings such as meetings, legal proceedings, or diplomatic exchanges.

Example

The committee voted in the affirmative on the new safety rules.

verb + in the affirmative — pattern with 'vote'

When the judge asked if she agreed, Ms. Torres replied in the affirmative.

Common collocations
  • answer in the affirmative
  • reply in the affirmative
  • respond in the affirmative
  • vote in the affirmative
  • nod in the affirmative
Synonyms
  • yes

    neutral in register; used in everyday conversation, not limited to formal contexts

  • favourably

    similar formal register but broader in meaning (can mean 'with approval' rather than specifically 'yes')

  • agreeably

    has a similar formal tone but focuses on willingness or pleasantness rather than a direct yes/no response

Antonyms
  • in the negative

    direct opposite; identical structure and register, used in the same formal contexts

Grammar Patterns

verb + in the affirmative

Usage Note

This fixed phrase belongs to formal registers such as legal proceedings, board meetings, official correspondence, and parliamentary procedures. In everyday speech, native speakers prefer simpler alternatives like 'say yes' or 'agree'. The most common verb partners are answer, reply, respond, vote, and nod. Unlike a single-word adverb, the phrase must follow the verb — it cannot begin the sentence.

Common Mistakes

She said in the affirmative to my question.
She answered in the affirmative.
'say in the affirmative' is unnatural; use 'answer', 'reply', or 'respond' instead.
He in the affirmative nodded.
He nodded in the affirmative.
the phrase must come after the verb, not before it.
He told me in the affirmative.
He replied in the affirmative.
'tell' is not idiomatic with this phrase; use 'reply' or 'answer'.

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The phrase 'in the affirmative' developed from the Latin verb 'affirmare' (to make firm, to assert), which passed into English through French 'affirmatif'. It has been used in English legal and parliamentary language since the 16th century to describe a formal statement of agreement, as opposed to a negative reply. The pattern 'in the + adjective' (e.g., 'in the negative', 'in the abstract') is a common formal construction borrowed from Latin and French legal phrasing.