Words Used Differently

Sara   Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:56 am GMT
Hi,

I am a bit confused, hope someone will help me out.

Drastically is the word that got me spinning.
I am a native English speaker, and I used this word somewhere and someone told me that the his word is supposed to be used in the negative contexts only.

I was surprised as I learnt not to use it in the negative sense all the time.

I said, ''my english improved drastically '' so is it wrong to say so?!

I am wondering, as i looked it up in the dictionaries as well.
I find no problem using it in positive contexts, am I correct?


Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Sara
Cleetus   Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:36 am GMT
IT'S CALLED NIGGERS!
Leasnam   Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:35 pm GMT
<<I said, ''my english improved drastically '' so is it wrong to say so?!
>>

Well, Sara, if you said that your English improved *drastically*, then you are implying that it was at one time very bad.
Personally, I would have said "my English improved dramatically", but using 'drastically' is by no means incorrect.

I have never heard of any rule stating that it should only be used in the negative, and then only on rare occasions.
codger   Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:48 pm GMT
I think it's correct. "A drastic improvement" is a common phrase.
Sara   Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:58 am GMT
Oh thanks Leasnam and Codger.

I really appreciate your time and explanation.

Wow dramatically sounds way better, truly i used that word just to like tell the guy my English improved, in a sense where it became sorta finer and more tuned as such.

Anyway I will let him know too, as he is not a native English speaker but has his PhD in English.



Thanks a million to u guys once again, and this site is very helpful.

Best Regards,
Sara