a passably fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passably fine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is acceptable or satisfactory, though not exceptional. Example: "The meal was a passably fine experience, but I expected more from the restaurant."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Marco Guidarini, in his company debut, gets a passably good but uninspired performance from the Met orchestra.

The New York Times

Could we find, we wondered, not just a passably clean cheap hotel, but one that was also pleasant, even charming?

The New York Times - Travel

They seem to have been excited by the prospect of a passably pure, toughly modest aestheticism that jettisoned the traditions of a Europe gone mad with slaughter.

The New Yorker

There were moments when I thought "Gone in 60 Seconds" might be a passably entertaining movie.

The Washington Post

Lee Evans as Darnley shows a nice line in open-mouthed dismay and gets to do a passably funny imitation of Carmen Miranda brandishing her maracas.

The Guardian

The conductor Marco Guidarini, in his company debut, got a passably good but uninspired performance from the Met orchestra on opening night.

The New York Times

Only in the past two years of UN administration have the East Timorese glimpsed a passably decent future.The new chief minister, Mari Alkatiri, accepts that East Timor will be dependent on foreign aid for several years.

The Economist

For example, when eaten by themselves, the aforementioned crab cakes leave a passably enjoyable impression, but also leave the question as to whether or not they were perhaps too heavy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Winnie Foster (adorable newcomer Sarah Charles Lewis), a passably rebellious 11-year-old, chances upon the Tucks, a family rendered eternal by having drunk from a woodland spring with an unusually high eternity content.

The Guardian

A day before the wedding, she was subjected to a particularly vicious attack in the Daily Mail (bien sûr) which spent 1,200 words assassinating her character, and dismissing her a "passably attractive arts graduate from a second-tier university".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The tennis was good, the weather behaved itself, the food – apart from a passably good sausage on a roll from a van below the players' lounge – was predictably dire.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passably fine" when you want to express that something is acceptable but not outstanding. This phrase is suitable for situations where you need to convey a moderate level of quality without exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "a passably fine" when describing something of high quality. The phrase implies a level of mediocrity that would be inappropriate for exceptional items or experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passably fine" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It describes the quality of something as being acceptable or adequate, but not exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, suggesting it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a passably fine" is an adjective phrase used to describe something that is acceptable or adequate, but not exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, the phrase is uncommon, indicating it's not frequently used in common speech or writing. Its purpose is to convey a moderate level of quality without exaggeration. Alternatives include "adequately good", "sufficiently acceptable", and "reasonably good". This phrase is most appropriate when describing something that meets a minimum standard of acceptability without being particularly impressive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequately good

Replaces "passably fine" with a more direct expression of adequacy.

sufficiently acceptable

Emphasizes the acceptance of something due to its sufficiency.

reasonably good

Indicates a level of goodness that meets expectations without exceeding them.

fairly decent

Uses "decent" to convey a sense of satisfactory quality.

moderately satisfactory

Highlights the moderate level of satisfaction provided.

tolerably adequate

Suggests that something is adequate to a tolerable degree.

acceptably average

Combines acceptance with the idea of being average.

serviceably adequate

Focuses on the adequacy for serving a purpose.

not bad at all

An informal way of saying something is acceptable.

kind of okay

Very informal, suggesting something is just acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "a passably fine" in a sentence?

You can use "a passably fine" to describe something that is acceptable but not exceptional. For example, "The restaurant offered "a passably fine meal", but nothing that stood out".

What are some alternatives to "a passably fine"?

Alternatives include "adequately good", "sufficiently acceptable", or "reasonably good", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "passably fine" or "fairly fine"?

"Passably fine" and "fairly fine" are similar, but "passably fine" implies a slightly lower level of quality. "Fairly fine" suggests something is quite good, while "passably fine" suggests it is merely acceptable.

In what situations is "a passably fine" most appropriate?

The phrase "a passably fine" is most appropriate when describing something that meets a minimum level of acceptability without being particularly impressive. It's useful for conveying a sense of adequate quality without exaggeration.