Suitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Suitable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or situation. Example: "This dress is suitable for the formal event we are attending tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You either need to be suitably qualified or experienced to do this yourself, or you should appoint someone suitable to do this on your behalf.

The Guardian

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

Officials are concerned that an airlift back to Australia could take at least 30 hours, during which time the person could die, and a more suitable arrangement would be an evacuation to a closer country.

The Guardian

The puffin seems eminently suitable to be our national bird: a dapper little character who is equally at home on sea or land, given to hedonistic feasting when the seasons allow, but also capable of austere self-denial (they spend their winters out in the North Atlantic).

The Guardian - Travel

It seems to me that the only option will be to treat "affordable rent" homes as an intermediate product which is only suitable for people in relatively high-paid work.

The Guardian

A good place to start is by exploring the history of immigration and emigration to and from Britain with this lesson plan by Teaching Resources Support, suitable for key stage 3 students.

The Guardian

Lady Verma, energy minister and a fellow Conservative, replied: "As members are aware, fracking is at its early stages of exploration and there will be areas of landscape that won't be suitable for fracking, as you rightly point out.

The Guardian

A survey by the Local Government Association in 2010 suggested that around £15bn was needed for critical condition repairs, with a further £15bn for less essential work such as ensuring schools have suitable facilities to deliver the curriculum.

The Guardian

We were wrong that David Bentley, now injured and with a football career proceeding more slowly than even Beckham could trot, was a suitable replacement.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She was flagged by several medical officers from her arrival as not suitable for the detention environment".

The Guardian

While the family favourite is suitable for ages eight and up, the slightly more war, death and violence-saturated Game of Thrones edition carries a recommended age of over 18, in line with the TV show.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suitable", consider the specific context and choose a synonym if a more precise meaning is needed (e.g., "qualified" for skills, "appropriate" for formality).

Common error

While "suitable" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal contexts. Replace with synonyms like "appropriate" or "befitting" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suitable" is as an adjective. It is used to describe a noun, indicating that the noun possesses the qualities necessary or desirable for a particular purpose or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage aligns with standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "suitable" is a versatile term used to describe something that is appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or situation. With a "Correct" grammatical status and "Very common" frequency, according to Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news media, formal business settings, and scientific writing. While "suitable" is generally acceptable, it's important to consider the specific context and choose synonyms like "appropriate" or "fitting" for more formal writing. Remember to avoid overuse and ensure the term accurately conveys the intended meaning. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Guardian underscores its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriate

Direct synonym replacing "suitable" with a slightly more formal tone.

fitting

Similar to "suitable", but implies a more natural or inherent match.

apt

A more concise synonym, suggesting a natural or inherent suitability.

qualified

Implies possessing the necessary skills or qualities for a role or task.

eligible

Suggests meeting the necessary requirements or conditions.

befitting

A more formal term, implying suitability in accordance with social norms or expectations.

right

A simple synonym indicating correctness or appropriateness.

acceptable

Indicates that something meets a minimum standard of suitability.

convenient

Highlights the practicality or ease of use, implying suitability for a specific purpose.

applicable

Indicates relevance or appropriateness to a particular situation or context.

FAQs

How to use "suitable" in a sentence?

You can use "suitable" to describe something that is appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or situation. For example: "This location is suitable for building a house."

What can I say instead of "suitable"?

You can use alternatives like "appropriate", "fitting", or "apt" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "suitable" or "suited"?

"Suitable" is an adjective that describes something as appropriate or fitting, while "suited" is a verb that means to be appropriate or adapted for something. For example, "This plan is suitable for our needs," versus "He is well suited to this role."

What's the difference between "suitable" and "adequate"?

"Suitable" implies that something is right or appropriate for a particular purpose or situation, while "adequate" means that something is just enough or satisfactory. "Suitable" suggests a better fit than "adequate".