What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
minus
Example
5 minus 2 equals 3. [minus: preposition]
Example
The team lost the game by two points, minus their star player. [minus: preposition]
Example
The recipe calls for sugar, minus the salt. [minus: preposition]
negative
Example
He has a negative outlook on life. [negative: adjective]
Example
The movie received negative reviews from critics. [negative: adjective]
Example
The temperature dropped to negative ten degrees Celsius. [negative: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Negative is more commonly used than minus in everyday language, due to its wider range of meanings and applications.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between minus and negative?
Both minus and negative are relatively formal words, but minus is more technical and specific to mathematical contexts, while negative can be used in a wider range of formal and informal contexts.
