a passable outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passable outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a result that is acceptable or satisfactory, though not exceptional. Example: "After several attempts, we finally achieved a passable outcome that met the project's basic requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On balance, the odds look fairly good for at least a passable outcome in April.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

These statistics may point to the possibility of a troop drawdown strategy for the United States — but while a strategically passable outcome still seems within reach, it is increasingly hard to believe that there are the makings of a major success for American foreign policy in Iraq.

The New York Times

4. WRAP-UP/HOMEWORK: Individually, students use ideas in the Times article, from class discussion, and from their research to write response papers reflecting on the final statement in the article: "[W]hile a strategically passable outcome still seems within reach, it is increasingly hard to believe that there are the makings of a major success for American foreign policy in Iraq".

The New York Times

I am a passable lawyer.

The New Yorker

It was a passable sound bite.

The New York Times

Can you do a passable rendition of Fire and Rain?

The Guardian - Film

"He can't even write a passable dance," she added.

The New York Times - Arts

"She is, however, possessed of a passable accent".

The New Yorker

But what happens if you get a passable appetizer?

Harvard University

Now he's doing a passable impression.

The Guardian - Film

I had a passable French accent, a new outfit, and not much else.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passable outcome" when you want to indicate that a result is acceptable or satisfactory without being exceptional. It's suitable for situations where meeting the minimum requirements is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "a passable outcome" when the result is genuinely excellent or outstanding. This phrase implies a level of mediocrity that would be misleading in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passable outcome" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "passable" modifies the noun "outcome". It describes the quality of the outcome, indicating that it meets a minimum level of acceptability. This aligns with Ludwig's AI which considers it a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

11%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passable outcome" describes a result that is acceptable but not exceptional. While grammatically correct and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's a relatively rare phrase. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. Alternatives include "an acceptable result" or "a satisfactory outcome". Use this phrase when you want to convey that something meets minimum requirements without being particularly outstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an acceptable result

Replaces "passable" with a more common synonym, focusing on the acceptability of the outcome.

a satisfactory outcome

Substitutes "passable" with "satisfactory", emphasizing that the result meets basic requirements.

a tolerable result

Uses "tolerable" instead of "passable", suggesting the outcome is just good enough to be accepted.

an adequate outcome

Replaces "passable" with "adequate", highlighting that the result is sufficient but not outstanding.

a reasonable outcome

Suggests the result is fair and logical, using "reasonable" as a substitute for "passable".

a minimally acceptable result

Emphasizes the lower end of acceptability, clarifying that the outcome barely meets the standards.

a barely sufficient outcome

Highlights that the result is just enough to be considered sufficient, using "barely sufficient" instead of "passable".

a so-so result

Uses an informal expression to indicate an outcome that is neither good nor bad, but just average.

an unremarkable result

Emphasizes that the result is not particularly noteworthy or impressive, using "unremarkable" as a substitute for "passable".

a run-of-the-mill outcome

Suggests the result is ordinary and typical, using a colloquial expression to convey its lack of distinction.

FAQs

What does "a passable outcome" mean?

It refers to a result that is acceptable or satisfactory but not particularly impressive or exceptional.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a passable outcome"?

Use it when the result meets the basic requirements or standards, but there's room for improvement or it doesn't exceed expectations.

What are some alternatives to "a passable outcome"?

You can use alternatives like "an acceptable result", "a satisfactory outcome", or "an adequate outcome" depending on the context.

How does "a passable outcome" differ from "an excellent outcome"?

"A passable outcome" suggests a minimally acceptable result, whereas "an excellent outcome" implies a result that is outstanding and exceeds expectations.