acceptably well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acceptably well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of performance or quality that meets a minimum standard of acceptability. Example: "The project was completed acceptably well, meeting all the necessary requirements without exceeding expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

In countries where women are "shyer about pelvic exams," she added, it even works "acceptably well" on vaginal swabs they can take themselves.

The New York Times - Health

Model 3b fits the data acceptably well.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

The Good The device does everything acceptably well.

TechCrunch

Let EL be one or more experimental laws that perform acceptably well on such tests.

SEP

The intensity at which this first occurs is acceptably well predicted by the model.

Chemical Engineering Science

In my rudimentary tests the AI worked acceptably well and did not encourage me to eat a monkey.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

He seeks out the man who had brought her to his party, "a depressed-looking figure who, ten years earlier, had produced two tolerably well-known and acceptably reviewed novels, filled, as novels then were, with moral scruple and concern".

The Guardian - Books

Once again nt = 200 genes produced acceptably good resolution.

Plosone

Provided that this number is correctly specified, fastPHASE should give an acceptably good performance.

Plosone

By contrast, the midsize models into which they crashed fared well or acceptably.

The New York Times

The strength of the Tikhonov-type filter ((mathbf q _{text {c}}) = 0.001 Å(^{-1})) was chosen by visually evaluating the strength that allows for efficiently suppressing noise but still acceptably preserving the potential well.

Advanced Structural and Chemical Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acceptably well", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended level of quality or performance. If you aim to convey excellence, alternatives like "very well" or "exceptionally well" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "acceptably well" when you actually mean "perfectly well" or "adequately". The former is for things that meet a minimum threshold, the latter for when something is just sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acceptably well" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It describes the manner in which an action is performed or a state is achieved, indicating a level of quality that meets a minimum standard. As Ludwig explains, it signifies something is good enough.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acceptably well" is a phrase used to describe something that meets a minimum standard of quality or performance, without necessarily being exceptional. Ludwig's analysis shows that it functions as an adverbial phrase with a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of contexts. The phrase is common in both science and news media. It is important to remember that "acceptably well" should be used when conveying adequacy, and not confused with phrases that convey either excellence or barely sufficient quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably well

Implies a level of success or quality that meets a certain standard without being exceptional; focuses on the degree of success.

sufficiently well

Highlights that something is adequate for a particular purpose or requirement; emphasizes adequacy.

adequately well

Indicates that something is good enough, but not necessarily excellent; stresses a basic level of quality.

passably well

Suggests that something is done or performed just well enough to be acceptable; underscores marginal acceptability.

satisfactorily

Focuses on meeting expectations or requirements; highlights the fulfillment of a desired outcome.

suitably well

Implies fitness or appropriateness for a particular purpose or situation; emphasizes the match between performance and context.

tolerably well

Indicates that something is bearable or acceptable, though not necessarily ideal; stresses a level of endurance or acceptance.

decently well

Suggests a fair or respectable level of performance or quality; emphasizes respectability.

respectably well

Highlights a performance or quality that is worthy of esteem or admiration; underscores the positive regard.

serviceably

Emphasizes usefulness and functionality, implying that something fulfills its purpose without necessarily being outstanding.

FAQs

How can I use "acceptably well" in a sentence?

You can use "acceptably well" to describe something that meets a minimum level of expectation or quality. For example, "The student performed "acceptably well" on the exam, achieving a passing grade".

What are some alternatives to "acceptably well"?

Some alternatives include "reasonably well", "sufficiently well", or "adequately well", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "acceptably well" or "perfectly well"?

"Acceptably well" implies a satisfactory but not outstanding level of performance, while "perfectly well" suggests flawless execution. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the quality you're describing.

What does it mean for something to perform "acceptably well"?

When something performs "acceptably well", it means it functions or operates at a level that meets the minimum requirements or expectations, even if it's not exceptional.