a satisfactory idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a satisfactory idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a concept or proposal that meets the necessary criteria or expectations. Example: "After reviewing the suggestions, I believe that a satisfactory idea for our project is to implement a new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A wrinkled, yellow bag, placed on the top of the head, and looking like the wilted rind of a pumpkin, does not convey a satisfactory idea of that polished and highly-cultivated clearing which time makes in the hyperian forest The Binney of Mr. PETERS was, of course, excellent.

The New York Times

Gilbert experimented with introductory paragraphs to find a satisfactory idea.

Wikipedia

We observed that students belonging to the control and SPSA groups tended to explore only one or two ideas, and once they had found a satisfactory idea they tended to remain fixed on that idea.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now some researchers are reexamining dark matter candidates once written off as unlikely, and considering less satisfactory ideas such as the possibility that dark matter will turn out to be made of something more or less undetectable.

HuffPost

I have a satisfactory level of implementing ideas 0.70         0.70 23.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

I have a satisfactory level of creative ideas and skills 0.75   −0.10 0.15   0.12 Extraction Method: Principal Component Analysis.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

It was clear in February that he did not wish negotiation until the existing military balance could be turned considerably in our favor; and his clear intention now is to bomb North Vietnam until Hanoi is prepared to sue for peace on terms which will meet Rusk's idea of a satisfactory settlement.

The New York Times

After nearly a decade of scrapping with the Taliban, no end is in sight; nor is any coherent idea of what a satisfactory end might resemble.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"The fact the report says we can make sustained improvements and have received a satisfactory report seems to fight against the idea that we need to shut! "Education Leeds assumed we would fail, but that has not happened.

The Guardian

In fact, we seek TSs which fully satisfy the adequacy criterion, with the idea that they would assure a satisfactory level of fault detection.1.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

She thought this was a satisfactory answer.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a satisfactory idea" when you want to convey that a concept meets a certain standard of acceptance or fulfillment, but perhaps without being exceptional.

Common error

Avoid using "a satisfactory idea" when a stronger term like "innovative" or "groundbreaking" is more appropriate. This phrase implies adequacy, not necessarily excellence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a satisfactory idea" functions as a noun phrase, where 'a' is an article, 'satisfactory' is an adjective modifying 'idea'. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, indicating that it serves to identify a concept that meets a certain threshold of acceptability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a satisfactory idea" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a concept that meets a certain standard of acceptance but may not be outstanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news, science, and wiki contexts. While the phrase is not very common, it effectively conveys that an idea is adequate for its intended purpose. Alternatives such as ""an acceptable idea"" or ""a viable concept"" can be used to express similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an acceptable idea

Focuses more on the idea being merely acceptable rather than fully satisfactory.

a viable concept

Emphasizes the practicality and feasibility of the idea.

a suitable suggestion

Highlights the appropriateness of the idea for a specific purpose.

an adequate plan

Similar to 'acceptable' but might imply a lower standard of quality or completeness.

a decent proposal

Indicates a reasonable and respectable, but not necessarily outstanding, idea.

a promising concept

Focuses on the potential and future prospects of the idea.

a sound solution

Emphasizes the reliability and effectiveness of the idea in resolving a problem.

a worthwhile thought

Highlights the value and importance of the idea.

an effective approach

Focuses on the efficiency and impact of the idea in achieving a desired outcome.

a reasonable notion

Suggests that the idea is logical and sensible.

FAQs

How can I use "a satisfactory idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a satisfactory idea" to describe a concept that meets the minimum requirements or expectations. For example, "After brainstorming, we finally came up with "a satisfactory idea" for the project."

What are some alternatives to "a satisfactory idea"?

Alternatives include "an acceptable idea", "a viable concept", or "a suitable suggestion" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a satisfactory idea" or "a great idea"?

"A satisfactory idea" implies that the idea is adequate or meets the basic requirements. "A great idea" suggests that the idea is excellent or outstanding. The choice depends on the quality of the idea you are describing and the message you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a satisfactory idea" and "a brilliant idea"?

The primary difference lies in the level of excellence. "A satisfactory idea" is adequate and acceptable, while "a brilliant idea" is exceptional and innovative.