almost good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is close to being satisfactory or acceptable but falls short in some way. Example: "The presentation was almost good, but a few key points were missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Almost good enough to eat.

Independent

Her aim was good, almost good.

The Guardian - Books

You know every year there's an entry that's so ridiculously mental, it's almost good.. ALMOST.

Independent

It's a quite awful version of the real thing, so bad it's almost good.

The Guardian - Travel

I'd like to think I'm pretty comfortable and almost good at it.

The New Yorker

The way the Pittsburgh Penguins are going, it is almost good news.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Her husband was mild, distant, almost good-humored.

The New Yorker

The meetings are said to be almost good-humoured.

The Guardian

As a result she became almost good-tempered; she had new & admiring friends.

The New Yorker

Generally, however, the protests have been less serious, and at times almost good-natured.

The Guardian

Of course those flops, including "Elah" and "Rendition," were only almost-good, not as compelling as they should have been.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost good", consider specifying the aspect in which something falls short. For instance, "The design is "almost good", but the color scheme needs refinement."

Common error

Avoid using "almost good" when the subject is significantly flawed. It can create a misleading impression and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost good" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that approaches a desired quality or standard but doesn't fully achieve it. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost good" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that nearly meets expectations, but still falls short. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and frequently found in News & Media, Scientific contexts. Alternatives like "nearly satisfactory" or "close to acceptable" can offer similar nuances. When using "almost good", consider being specific about the areas that need improvement to provide a more constructive assessment. Avoid using the phrase when the subject is significantly flawed in order to avoid misleading your audience. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage contexts, you can effectively use "almost good" in your writing to convey nuanced evaluations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost acceptable

Direct synonym, stressing proximity to acceptability.

nearly satisfactory

Emphasizes the proximity to a satisfactory state.

close to acceptable

Highlights the closeness to meeting a standard of acceptability.

virtually adequate

Suggests a near-adequacy, perhaps with a hint of surprise.

practically sufficient

Emphasizes the practical aspect of being nearly sufficient.

on the verge of good

Highlights the potential for goodness, but not quite there yet.

borderline okay

Indicates a state that's just barely passing or acceptable, more informal.

approaching good

Focuses on the movement or progress towards being good.

nearing perfection

Implies a high standard and closeness to flawlessness.

not far from ideal

Indicates the state is close to what is considered ideal.

FAQs

How can I use "almost good" in a sentence?

You can use "almost good" to describe something that is close to being satisfactory but not quite there yet. For example, "The presentation was "almost good", but it lacked detailed data."

What can I say instead of "almost good"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly satisfactory", "close to acceptable", or "virtually adequate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "almost good" or "nearly good"?

Both "almost good" and "nearly good" are correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "almost good" and "good enough"?

"Almost good" implies that something is close to meeting a standard, while "good enough" ("good enough") suggests that something meets the minimum requirement, even if it's not excellent. "Almost good" has the potential to improve, while "good enough" may suggest a compromise.