an acceptable amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acceptable amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a quantity or level that is deemed satisfactory or permissible in a given context. Example: "The report indicated that the project was completed within an acceptable amount of time, ensuring all deadlines were met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you don't care what price you sell it for, make the buyer's day by accepting whatever lowball offer they give that will still put an acceptable amount of money in your pocket.

Huffington Post

The surveys found that bald tires were 50 to 80percentt more likely to be underinflated than tires with an acceptable amount of tread.

The New York Times

If he has some of them and not others, maybe you can work out a compromise on what you both feel is an acceptable amount of recreational partying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What a company like Kellogg's regards as an acceptable amount of sugar in a serving of breakfast cereal may not be what a nutrition-wise parent would choose.

The New York Times - Health

Today's concession will see the total value of his pension pot fall by £4.7 million, described by the bank as "an acceptable amount to all parties".

Independent

The poultice is then removed from the stone surface and the process repeated until all, or an acceptable amount, of the salts present are removed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This song is an actual celluloid print and therefore contains what I consider to be an acceptable amount of artifacts or discoloration.

The New York Times

Kenneth James, perhaps one of the last to abide by the marriage tradition, will soon begin working for his girlfriend's family, once his grandfather gathers an acceptable amount of goods for them.

The New York Times

And while it is not yet clear what level of exposure to radon will cause health problems, she said, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has established an acceptable amount of radon for living areas in occupied structures.

The New York Times

The student might decide that this is an acceptable amount according to the food pyramid as long as he does not eat any more meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts, that day.

The New York Times

The bank's chairman Sir Philip Hampton said: "On any measure this represents a very substantial reduction to Fred's pension and is an acceptable amount to all parties to the discussion.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an acceptable amount", clearly define the criteria or standards that make the amount acceptable in the given context. Providing context helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an acceptable amount" without specifying what makes it acceptable. For example, instead of saying "The budget was an acceptable amount", specify "The budget of $10,000 was an acceptable amount given the project's scope".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acceptable amount" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "acceptable" modifies the noun "amount". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an acceptable amount" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a quantity or level that meets specific criteria or standards. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its prevalence across varied contexts, particularly in Science and News & Media. When employing this phrase, it's best practice to provide context for clarity, avoiding overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "a reasonable quantity" or "a sufficient supply" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable quantity

Replaces 'acceptable' with 'reasonable', suggesting a fair or moderate quantity.

a sufficient quantity

Replaces 'acceptable' with 'sufficient', indicating enough to meet a need.

a permissible quantity

Substitutes 'acceptable' with 'permissible', emphasizing authorization or allowance.

a tolerable level

Shifts from quantity to level, implying something that can be endured or allowed.

an adequate supply

Focuses on the aspect of supply, implying that there is enough to satisfy demand.

a satisfactory portion

Replaces amount with portion, referring to a share or serving, while 'satisfactory' replaces 'acceptable'.

a fair share

Implies an equitable distribution, suitable in contexts involving sharing or allocation.

a moderate degree

Shifts to measuring intensity or extent, suggesting not excessive or extreme.

a comfortable margin

Indicates a surplus or buffer that provides security or ease, especially in financial or risk-related contexts.

a working margin

Suggests enough leeway or space to operate effectively, typically in business or technical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "an acceptable amount" in a sentence?

Use "an acceptable amount" to describe a quantity or level that meets certain requirements or standards. For example, "The study found "an acceptable amount of error" in the data collection process".

What are some alternatives to "an acceptable amount"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a reasonable quantity", "a sufficient supply", or "a tolerable level".

When is it appropriate to use "an acceptable amount" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to convey that a particular quantity, level, or degree is satisfactory or permissible according to a set of criteria or expectations. For example, "The company aims to reduce waste to "an acceptable level" by the end of the year".

What determines what is considered "an acceptable amount"?

The criteria for determining what constitutes "an acceptable amount" varies depending on the situation, industry, and specific requirements. It could be based on regulatory standards, budgetary constraints, risk assessment, or stakeholder expectations.