negative polarity

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noun

grammar the grammatical character of a word or phrase, such as ever or any, that may normally be used only in a semantically or syntactically negative or interrogative context

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Words nearby negative polarity

negative glow, negative hallucination, negative income, negative income tax, negative option, negative polarity, negative pressure, negative profit, negative-raising, negative reinforcement, negative resistance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use negative polarity in a sentence

Myerson herself appears to have bought into that stigma, offering mixed to negative views on the Miss America pageant.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I think part of being in the public eye is getting recognized, and dealing with positive and negative scrutiny.
Tim Howard’s Wall of Intensity|William O’Connor|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In addition to the negative on-field attention, off-the-field problems were just as bad this year.
Is Any College Football Coach Worth $60 Million? Jim Harbaugh Is|Jesse Lawrence|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The negative headlines and accusations of sexual assault continue.
Team Cosby’s Mission Impossible|Lloyd Grove|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He says he has yet to experience any negative feedback from the galaxy of Whovians.
Doctor Who: It’s Time For a Black, Asian, or Woman Doctor|Nico Hines|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before Louis could answer in the negative, he heard voices in the adjoining garden.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The great majority belong to the colon bacillus group, and are negative to Gram's method of staining.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
This is a minute, slender rod, which lies within and between the pus-corpuscles (Fig. 125), and is negative to Gram's stain.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The organism is a short, thick diplobacillus, is frequently intracellular, and is Gram-negative (Fig. 126).
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The press censorship is a negative evil in London; in Cairo there is no doubt it is positive.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton