have been positive vs have been

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and uses. 'Have been positive' is used to indicate a positive state or attitude that has been ongoing, while 'have been' alone is used to indicate a general action or state that has been ongoing without specifying whether it is positive or negative.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 817 views

have been positive

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a positive state or attitude that has been ongoing.

This phrase is used to describe a continuous positive state or attitude that has been present over a period of time.

Examples:

I have been positive about the outcome of the project from the beginning.
She has been positive about her recovery after the surgery.
They have been positive about the changes in the company.
He has been positive about the new opportunities that have come his way.
The team has been positive about their chances of winning the championship.

Show examples from the web [+]

In spite of the limited scale of this operation, results in the field have been positive.
Each of these organisations concerned itself with a specific area of activity and, in our opinion, the results have been positive.
As I said, responses have been positive.
The initial reactions of the Member States have been positive, and I especially count on your support, so that we can come to a timely decision on the framework programme.
The efforts made by Mr Michel and the Luxembourg Presidency at the Council of Ministers have been positive and have produced an increase in aid.
In order to stimulate entrepreneurship among young people and encourage cross-border commercial cooperation in Europe, again at Parliament's instigation, we have set up an Erasmus programme for young entrepreneurs, the results of which have been positive.
Ninety-six percent of them, roughly, have been positive; four percent of them have been "other."
You have been positive from the very beginning.
All the polls have been positive.
However, I know that in the Commission you have been positive and courageous.
Linked to this, there have been positive developments on climate change.
The reactions I have received have been positive so far.
The consequences of implementing them have been positive as far as improving road safety and environmental protection are concerned.
Initial reactions from Commission staff to the products offered have been positive, especially regarding coffee, tea, cereal and chocolate bars and fruit juices.
We should first of all note that there have been positive developments this year as delays have substantially reduced in France.
Despite these difficulties and the problems in moving this process forward which we all recognise, we must accept that there have been positive results.
The output gap in 2004 is estimated to have been positive, implying that the budget deficit was by and large structural.
Above all, there have been positive developments in connection with the alignment of Croatian law with EU standards, protection for minorities and efforts to bring about judicial reform.
All in all, the results over the last two and a half years have been positive.
Since then, there have been positive developments, both in renovation of the present railway and in carrying out studies in order to construct railways conforming to European standards.

Alternatives:

have been optimistic
have had a positive outlook
have maintained a positive attitude
have shown positivity
have been in a positive state

have been

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a general action or state that has been ongoing without specifying whether it is positive or negative.

This phrase is used to indicate a continuous action or state that has been happening over a period of time, without specifying the nature of the action or state.

Examples:

I have been working on this project for a month.
She has been living in this city for five years.
They have been studying for the exam all week.
He has been practicing the piano every day.
The team has been training hard for the upcoming match.

Show examples from the web [+]

Even experienced collectors have been fooled.
Empires have been built by less.
Your letters have been a soul-nourishing...
Five of them have been auctioned.
Could have been a reflex reaction.
All American citizens have been ordered to evacuate the country.
The aforementioned counties have been declared a weather emergency.
Apparently my choices have been a little controversial lately.
My parents have been pretty generous.
Coups have been sparked by less.
There have been cases where the program was compromised.
Then your pleasures have been few.
Soft tempest scanners activated 2 years ago have been reactivated.
Crews have been out all night.
That things have been weird because of Jeremy.
Things have been weird lately and...
Virtually all viable assets we have in-country have been compromised.
Divorces have been filed, affairs revealed.
Regardless, the Cullens have been consorting with werewolves.
All electronics in Springfield have been disabled.

Alternatives:

have been doing
have been engaging in
have been involved in
have been carrying out
have been performing

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have been positive vs have been