Think positive

Question

Hi.I came across the phrase think positive, should it be think positively?I assume we need to have adverb in that context.if it is correct, which part of speech is positive?Thanks

Wrandom · Accepted Answer

The expression is think positive. It likely developed from think in a positive way or something similar and got shortened. Otherwise you are right, it should be think positively.

Wil

Cayuse · Answer

Positive is an adjective while positively is an adverb.

"Think positive" is shorthand for something like "Think positive thoughts." or "Think about positive outcomes." When it is used, you are encouraging someone to see the results they want in their mind and that this will somehow make it easier to attain them.

Unfortunately positively does not have the same meaning, it is an adverb, and changes the action to having occured with certainty, or suggesting that the action will occur without a doubt.

Therefore "Think Positive" Doesn't say exactly what to think about, but whatever it is you are thinking about, they should be 'good thoughts'. And "Think Positiviely" tends to mean something like "Make sure you are thinking."

Neither of those phrases are proper English sentences, but "Think Positive" is a common colloquialism for encouraging someone who is about to undertake something they feel uncertain about.

Regards,
Cay

Anonymous · Answer

Another commonly misused word is "fast". It is often used this way: " I sometimes drive too fast." It should be: "I sometimes drive too quickly."

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousAnother commonly misused word is "fast". It is often used this way: " I sometimes drive too fast." It should be: "I sometimes drive too quickly."

Sorry, but this is nonsense. "fast" is a perfectly good adverb. (There is no "fastly".)

CJ

Hrsanei · Answer

Thank you very much.

So both are used but with a difference in meaning.

Thanks

Mister Micawber · Answer

I see no difference in meaning, hrsanei. The earlier argument about 'think positively' = think for sure is a specious one, looking too hard for an ambiguity. Think positive (the catch phrase) = think positively (the grammatical standard).

Hrsanei · Answer

Thank you very much Mister Micawber for your response.

I agree with you. They are exactly the same.

Even longman dictionary presents the same definition for both.

Below are the excerpts.

Positively: http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/positively

3. in a way that shows you are thinking about what is good in a situation rather than what is bad:

They're encouraged tothink positivelyabout themselves and their future.

Change should be accepted and be viewed positively

Positive http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/positive_1

if you are positive about things, you are hopeful and confident, and think about what is good in a situation rather than what is bad [? negative]

positive attitude/approach/outlook etc

She's got a really positive attitude to life.

the power ofpositive thinking

'Think positive!' she advised herself.

Regards

Think positive

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