I would not use it as an adverb if the following dictionary is correct, but I am not a teacher."positive" is used as an adverb
I don't think this term is widely used by British Grammarians. It is not used in A comprehensive Grammar of the English Language (1986), The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language or the Oxford Modern English Grammar (2011).
Apple wants you to "think different" instead of "think differently". It always hurts my ears when I hear it.
--lotus
Very interesting. Apparently the "ly" form was introduced as English moved away from using German case endings." The tendency to ignore the distinction between adjectives and adverbs doubtless results from the influence on British speakers and writers of American speech, in turn strongly influenced by German, which hardly recognises a difference between adjectives and adverbs."
The author of those words is Michael Dummett, who was "Wykeham Professor of Logic at Oxford."
In his Grammar and Style for examination candidates and others (1993), he also says: "Phrases like to act natural [his emphasis] and he doesn't see good are pure Germanisms, and, though in common use by Americans, are recognised as slang."
If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know: