What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plus
Example
Two plus two equals four. [plus: preposition]
Example
The job comes with a plus of having flexible hours. [plus: noun]
Example
One plus of living in the city is the access to public transportation. [plus: noun]
positive
Example
She has a positive attitude towards life. [positive: adjective]
Example
The test results came back positive for COVID-19. [positive: adjective]
Example
The new policy changes will have a positive impact on the environment. [positive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Plus is more commonly used than positive in everyday language due to its versatility and use in mathematical contexts. However, positive is still a common word and is often used in formal writing and speech.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between plus and positive?
Positive is generally considered more formal than plus, which is more casual and commonly used in everyday language.
