a satisfactory year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a satisfactory year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a year that met expectations or was deemed acceptable in terms of achievements or experiences. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, we can look back and say it was a satisfactory year for our organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were two million children in 6,000 schools that had been judged satisfactory year after year after year, inspection after inspection, so you could be in a satisfactory school forever and a day, primary or secondary".

The Guardian

A rating scale of zero to four will replace the current satisfactory-unsatisfactory evaluation in which the criteria were vague, officials said, and the vast majority of principals were rated as satisfactory, year after year.

The New York Times

Despite tumor recurrence, patients with carcinoid syndrome have a satisfactory 5-year survival rate of 74 78 % and a 5-year recurrence rate of 18%% after a hepatectomy [ 2– 5].

Cancer Imaging

Like ninety-seven per cent of all teachers in the pre-Bloomberg days, she was given tenure after her third year of teaching, and then, like ninety-nine per cent of all teachers before 2002, she received a satisfactory rating each year.

The New Yorker

There is a satisfactory grouping of years in 3 of the 4 methods (between groups linkage, within groups linkage and single linkage), where the results are almost identical.

European Transport Research Review

"The Piano Lesson" — which involves a contest for ownership of a prized family piano between a sister, who wants to keep it as a symbol of her African-American heritage, and her brother, who wants to sell it to buy land on the plantation where their ancestors were slaves — had still not found a satisfactory ending after a year of touring.

The New Yorker

Williams, 28, won the men's high-jump event at the U.S. Open Track and Field meet with relative ease Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, and for him, it was a satisfactory start to a year in which everyone's sights are firmly set on summer and the London Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

This is supported by the recent paper of Park et al. [ 3], describing that 41% of allografts with a satisfactory function at one year (eGFR ≥40 mL/min/1.73 m) will progressively lose it and cease to function in the range of one to five years.

Disease Markers

Once it was determined that the first few years of the study were responsible for difficulties in finding a satisfactory specification and those years eliminated, a general-to-simple procedure was followed.

Latin American Economic Review

Some veterans see a new bubble forming in the valuations of start-ups and a handful of more mature firms such as Twitter, which is still hunting for a satisfactory business model five years after the first tweet.

The Economist

Several reports exist on the medium-term to long-term results with use of such third-generation designs, showing a satisfactory survival at 8 years of between 84% and 94% (Buechel et al. 2003, Doets et al. 2006, Wood et al. 2008).

Acta Orthopaedica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a satisfactory year" to concisely describe a period that met expectations without necessarily exceeding them. It's suitable when a neutral or slightly positive assessment is required.

Common error

Avoid using "a satisfactory year" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous. Consider "a fulfilling year" or "a successful year" as alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a satisfactory year" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "year". It serves to characterize the year as having met a certain standard or level of acceptability. The assessment from Ludwig indicates that the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a satisfactory year" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a year that has met expectations or achieved an acceptable level of performance. As determined by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. While no exact examples were found, it is versatile and can be applied in various contexts to provide a neutral or slightly positive assessment of a yearly period. Consider alternatives like "a fulfilling year" or "a successful year" to add nuance or emphasis, and avoid overuse to maintain writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A fulfilling year

Focuses on the sense of accomplishment and personal growth experienced during the year.

A successful year

Emphasizes the achievement of goals and positive outcomes during the year.

An acceptable year

Highlights that the year met the minimum requirements or expectations.

A decent year

Implies that the year was moderately good or satisfactory, without being exceptional.

A productive year

Stresses the amount of work or output achieved during the year.

A rewarding year

Highlights the positive experiences and benefits gained during the year.

A passable year

Indicates that the year was just good enough to meet expectations, without being outstanding.

A tolerable year

Suggests that the year was difficult but manageable or acceptable.

An adequate year

Emphasizes that the year was sufficient for its intended purpose, but not exceptional.

A reasonable year

Indicates that the year was fair, moderate, and generally acceptable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a satisfactory year" to describe a period that met expectations. For example, "Despite the challenges, it was a satisfactory year for the company."

What can I say instead of "a satisfactory year"?

You can use alternatives like "a fulfilling year", "a successful year", or "an acceptable year" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "a satisfactory year" or "a satisfied year"?

"A satisfactory year" is correct to describe a year that meets expectations. "A satisfied year" is not grammatically correct. You can however use the expression "I am satisfied with the year".

What is the difference between "a satisfactory year" and "a successful year"?

"A satisfactory year" implies that the year met the basic requirements or expectations, while "a successful year" suggests that the year exceeded expectations and achieved significant positive outcomes.