positively

/ˈpɒzətɪvli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpäzətə̇vlē -z(ə)tə̇-/ (ame, mw)

positively — adverb

1. with hope, approval, or confidence that a person, plan, or situation can turn ou

1.副詞B2
釋義

with hope, approval, or confidence that a person, plan, or situation can turn out well.

例句

The school responded positively to Maya's idea for a reading club.

respond positively to + noun

After the first meeting, both investors spoke positively about the new app.

speak positively about + noun

同義詞
  • favorably

    very close in meaning; often used for opinions, reviews, and official reactions.

  • optimistically

    focuses more on hope for the future than on approval.

  • approvingly

    centres on showing agreement or praise, especially in speech or facial expression.

反義詞

文法句型

think positively

speak positively about + noun

respond positively to + noun

用法筆記

Often used with verbs like think, react, speak, and respond, especially before about or to phrases. Distinguish from sense 2 CERTAINLY, which gives a firm answer rather than a hopeful or approving attitude.

常見錯誤

❌The staff answered positive to my email.
✅The staff responded positively to my email.
💡use the adverb after the verb; 'positive' is the adjective.
❌I think positively to the plan.
✅I think positively about the plan.
💡use 'about' for the thing you are judging.

2. with complete certainty, so that no real doubt remains about the answer or fact.

2.副詞C1
釋義

with complete certainty, so that no real doubt remains about the answer or fact.

例句

The guide could not positively identify the mountain through the thick fog.

not positively identify + noun

Nora positively refused to lend her brother the car again.

positively refuse + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • certainly

    the plain everyday equivalent, with less dramatic force.

  • definitely

    common in conversation; slightly less formal and old-fashioned.

  • categorically

    stronger and more formal, especially with denials or refusals.

反義詞
  • possibly

    shows uncertainty instead of firm certainty.

  • uncertainly

    describes hesitation or lack of confidence.

文法句型

positively confirm + noun

positively refuse + to-infinitive

not positively identify + noun

用法筆記

Often appears with no, refuse, confirm, remember, or identify when the speaker wants to remove doubt. Distinguish from sense 3 FOR EMPHASIS: this sense is about certainty, not simply making a description stronger.

常見錯誤

❌I positively know maybe the train is late.
✅I positively know the train is late.
💡this sense shows certainty, so it clashes with 'maybe'.
❌We positively think the painter will come.
✅We definitely think the painter will come.
💡in everyday guesses, 'definitely' is usually more natural than this formal, emphatic use.

3. used in informal speech to make a statement sound much stronger, often with surp

3.副詞C1
釋義

used in informal speech to make a statement sound much stronger, often with surprise or vivid feeling.

例句

By noon, the bus station was positively empty after the storm.

positively + adjective

That tiny puppy was positively fearless around the big farm dogs.

positively + adjective

同義詞
  • really

    the most common everyday intensifier; much more neutral in tone.

  • absolutely

    strong intensifier that often sounds more forceful or modern.

  • downright

    informal and vivid; often used before negative adjectives.

反義詞
  • slightly

    reduces strength instead of increasing it.

  • mildly

    suggests only a small degree.

文法句型

positively + adjective

positively + past participle

用法筆記

Common in lively speech or writing before adjectives and participles such as delighted, awful, or silent. Distinguish from sense 2 CERTAINLY: here the speaker is intensifying a description, not proving that something is true.

常見錯誤

❌The weather was positively.
✅The weather was positively awful.
💡this sense usually needs an adjective or similar word after it.
❌I positively finished my homework' (meaning 'really finished it').
✅I really finished my homework.
💡before a main verb, 'positively' often sounds like certainty instead of simple emphasis.