a tolerable situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tolerable situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is acceptable or bearable, even if it is not ideal. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, we managed to create a tolerable situation for everyone involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's not a tolerable situation.

Independent

He said the American envoy should "show them exactly what we know about, what they don't know about what's going on in their tribal areas and say, this is not a tolerable situation for you nor for us".

The New York Times

The two actors do everything they can to make that a tolerable situation, but they can never entirely distract us from the fact that they're trapped in Mr. McCarthy's dorm-room argument masquerading as a drama.

The New York Times - Arts

Although most breast milk studies that report DDT levels acknowledge that breast-feeding should be continued (Bouwman et al. 2006; Okonkwo et al. 2008), it is not a tolerable situation.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But the reliever will face a much more tolerable situation... Updated at 8.24pm BST 8.15pm BST Giants 6, Reds 3 Bottom 6th Jay Bruce draws a walk.

The Guardian - Sport

In this situation, a tolerable sensation of pain may be felt during the incident of injury.

WikiHow

Turn this type of situation right around in your mind from being a tolerable crush to being an intolerable harasser.

WikiHow

The purpose of a risk assessment is to make a decision whether the risk of a given situation is within an acceptable range, and, if not, how we can reduce it to a tolerable level.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

"A tolerable substitute for beer".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Corruption existed but on a tolerable scale.

The Guardian - Opinion

At any level, it is not a tolerable response".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a less-than-ideal scenario, use "a tolerable situation" to acknowledge its imperfections while emphasizing its acceptability. For instance, "Although the project faced numerous setbacks, we managed to create a tolerable situation for all stakeholders."

Common error

Avoid using "a tolerable situation" when the circumstances are genuinely excellent or highly desirable. This phrase implies a compromise or acceptance of limitations; using it in a positive context can undermine the intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tolerable situation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tolerable" modifies the noun "situation". As supported by Ludwig, it describes a state or set of circumstances that, while not ideal, is acceptable or bearable. Ludwig's examples show it often appears when discussing compromises or less-than-perfect outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tolerable situation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe circumstances that are acceptable or bearable, although not ideal. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase frequently appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. The phrase is useful for acknowledging imperfections while still conveying a sense of acceptance or manageability. When considering alternative expressions, be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey, as options like ""an acceptable state"" or ""a bearable circumstance"" may carry slightly different connotations. While grammatically correct and versatile, ensure the context warrants the implication of compromise inherent in "a tolerable situation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an acceptable state

Replaces "situation" with "state", implying a condition or set of circumstances that is considered satisfactory.

a bearable circumstance

Substitutes "tolerable" with "bearable" and "situation" with "circumstance", suggesting a situation that can be endured or withstood.

a manageable condition

Replaces "tolerable" with "manageable" and "situation" with "condition", emphasizing the ability to control or handle the state of affairs.

a passable scenario

Uses "passable" instead of "tolerable" and "scenario" instead of "situation", implying that the circumstances are just good enough to be accepted.

an endurable predicament

Replaces "tolerable" with "endurable" and "situation" with "predicament", conveying a sense of difficulty that can be sustained.

a sustainable compromise

Implies a situation where compromises have been made to reach an acceptable and maintainable outcome.

a minimally acceptable arrangement

Highlights that the agreement or setup meets only the basic requirements for acceptance.

a reluctantly accepted reality

Indicates that the situation is accepted despite some hesitation or opposition.

a grudgingly tolerated affair

Emphasizes that the situation is endured with some resentment or unwillingness.

a livable set of conditions

Suggests that the circumstances are just adequate for living or operating within.

FAQs

How can I use "a tolerable situation" in a sentence?

You can use "a tolerable situation" to describe circumstances that are acceptable but not ideal. For example, "The compromise created "a tolerable situation", although not everyone was completely satisfied."

What's the difference between "a tolerable situation" and "an ideal situation"?

"A tolerable situation" implies acceptance of something imperfect, while "an ideal situation" represents the best possible outcome. If you can't have the best, "a tolerable situation" is often the goal.

Which is correct, "a tolerable situation" or "a tolerable circumstance"?

Both "a tolerable situation" and "a tolerable circumstance" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. A "tolerable situation" is a more general phrase, while a circumstance might refer to a specific event or condition.

What can I say instead of "a tolerable situation"?

Alternatives include "an acceptable state", "a bearable circumstance", or "a manageable condition", depending on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.