acceptable tolerance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acceptable tolerance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the limits or allowances of a particular standard or measurement. Example: "The acceptable tolerance for this component is within 0.01 millimeters to ensure proper fit and function."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

We employed a qualifier transition and incorporated an acceptable tolerance limit for the acceptance of data to decrease the possibility of misidentification of the 8-oxodG and of the contribution of any underlying peak.

Free Radical Biology and Medicine

With the development in product customization, it has been generally accepted that customers' requirements also have acceptable tolerance range.

CIRP Annals

Managers could keep the organization within acceptable tolerance ranges, driving performance to plan.

Harvard Business Review

Compared to conventional approaches, this design could offer an average 43% volume reduction with acceptable tolerance.

Displays

The modified formulation effectively eliminates the spurious mass loss in the two test cases to within an acceptable tolerance.

Journal of Computational Physics

The amount of springback should be known in order to produce bent sheet metal parts within acceptable tolerance limits.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The objective of this investigation is: (1) establish correlations coefficients and acceptable tolerances for standard manufacturer samples of concrete admixtures, (2) verify the established acceptance criteria by testing job samples, and (3) provide interpretations of IR scans of concrete admixtures including the factors that may influence them.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

The optimized MMDG structure shows acceptable tolerances for grating fabrication.

Optics Communications

But the airline retested the part and concluded that it was within acceptable tolerances.

The New York Times

Still, the Environmental Protection Agency has found that the pesticide residues found on almost all crops are within acceptable tolerances.

The New York Times

Story drifts and internal forces are shown to be consistent with response spectrum analysis and static analysis results within acceptable tolerances.

Engineering Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical contexts, ensure you distinguish between biological tolerance (the body's response) and measurement tolerance (the accuracy of a test).

Common error

Do not use "acceptable tolerance" to describe something you merely like or prefer. It should refer to the maximum amount of variation or endurement that still allows a system, body, or project to function correctly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acceptable tolerance" functions as a complex noun phrase where the adjective "acceptable" modifies the noun "tolerance". In the data provided by Ludwig, it typically acts as the object of a preposition (e.g., "within an acceptable tolerance") or as a standalone subject in technical conclusions. Ludwig AI confirms that this structure is grammatically sound and highly stable across various English dialects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

Academia

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Wiki

3%

Informal Conversation

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acceptable tolerance" is a highly reliable and sophisticated term used to denote the permissible limit of variation in a physical dimension, a biological response, or a technical process. Data from Ludwig shows that it is a cornerstone of scientific and engineering discourse, appearing frequently in peer-reviewed journals to validate experimental results. While most common in technical fields, it effectively crosses over into business and news contexts when discussing risk management and safety standards. Writers should use it when precision is required, as it conveys a sense of rigorous evaluation and established standards. Alternatives like "permissible limit" or "allowable margin" can be used depending on whether the focus is on regulation or the physical space for error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permissible limit

implies a stricter regulatory or legal boundary that must not be crossed

acceptable range

focuses on the set of values rather than the capacity to endure them

allowable margin

suggests a buffer zone or extra space provided for error or variation

permissible threshold

focuses on the specific point where a condition begins to be unacceptable

tolerable error

specifically highlights the mistake factor that can still be managed

admissible deviation

uses more formal language to describe how much a result can vary from the norm

valid range

focuses on the entire span of values that are considered correct

standard allowance

refers to a pre-defined amount of variation permitted by industry standards

satisfactory variance

emphasizes that the change is acceptable to the observer or evaluator

reasonable leeway

more idiomatic and informal, suitable for general management or casual contexts

FAQs

How do I use "acceptable tolerance" in a sentence?

You can use it to define limits, for example: "The engine parts were machined within an "acceptable tolerance" of 0.05mm".

What is the difference between "acceptable tolerance" and "permissible limit"?

While similar, an "permissible limit" often refers to legal or safety regulations, whereas "acceptable tolerance" is frequently used for engineering precision or medical endurance.

Is it correct to say "acceptable tolerance range"?

Yes, adding "range" is common in scientific literature to emphasize the span between the upper and lower limits.

What can I say instead of "acceptable tolerance" in a business meeting?

In a less technical business setting, you might use terms like "reasonable leeway" or "allowable margin" to sound more accessible.