Correctly using a cognate in a second language is an example of:

1. Positive transfer happens when a structure is the same in both languages. 2. Using a cognate, a word with a similar form and meaning, is its standard example. 3. A false friend looks similar but has a different meaning, so it causes errors. 4. So a correct cognate is positive transfer. **Why not the others:** Negative transfer and false friends cause errors, and fossilization is a plateau. _Source: Wikipedia, "Language transfer", section "Types of language transfer" (revision 1378885216)_