an acceptable level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acceptable level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing standards, thresholds, or criteria that are deemed satisfactory in a particular context. Example: "The project must meet an acceptable level of quality before it can be submitted for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is an acceptable level of risk in cyberspace?

The New Yorker

It doesn't mean that it's stable at an acceptable level".

The New York Times

The stimulus failed to reduce unemployment to an acceptable level.

The New Yorker

Belfast has achieved an acceptable level of tragedy.

The New Yorker

What should be considered an acceptable level of risk?

Advances in Space Research

(Eighty percent is usually deemed an acceptable level).

The Economist

If so, is there an acceptable level of risk?

The New York Times

The question, they say, is what represents an acceptable level.

The New York Times

fulgens♂ was at an acceptable level for commercial production.

Aquaculture

Their partners danced on an acceptable level but did not have their usual stamina.

The New York Times - Arts

This means seeking the best return on their investments at an acceptable level of risk.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when determining what "an acceptable level" means. Standards can vary based on expertise, expectations, and priorities.

Common error

Avoid using "an acceptable level" when you truly mean the best possible outcome. "Acceptable" implies a minimum threshold, not necessarily the ideal one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acceptable level" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun to indicate that something meets a certain standard or threshold. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples showcase its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

2%

Science & Research

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an acceptable level" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something meets a minimum requirement or threshold. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and business. Analysis of the examples shows that it appears frequently in contexts where standards or criteria are being discussed. It's important to remember that "acceptable" implies a threshold, not necessarily an optimal outcome. When using the phrase, be specific about what constitutes "acceptable" within the given context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory standard

Substitutes "acceptable level" with "satisfactory standard", implying that the standard is good enough.

a compliant threshold

Replaces acceptable with a standard that is compliant.

a tolerable degree

Replaces "level" with "degree" and "acceptable" with "tolerable", suggesting something is bearable but not ideal.

a reasonable extent

Replaces "level" with "extent" and "acceptable" with "reasonable", indicating something is within logical or justifiable boundaries.

a permissible limit

Emphasizes that something is allowed or authorized up to a certain point.

an adequate amount

Changes "level" to "amount" and "acceptable" to "adequate", suggesting there is enough of something to meet the requirements.

a sufficient quantity

Uses "quantity" instead of "level" and "sufficient" instead of "acceptable", highlighting that there is enough of something.

a decent quality

Focuses on the quality of something, suggesting it is of an acceptable standard.

a fair compromise

Indicates that a balance has been struck that is acceptable to all parties involved.

a manageable risk

Highlights that the risk involved is something that can be controlled or dealt with effectively.

FAQs

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

Use "an acceptable level" to describe a threshold or standard that meets a minimum requirement, such as: "The noise level in the library must remain at "a tolerable degree" for students to study effectively."

What are some alternatives to saying "an acceptable level"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a satisfactory standard", "a reasonable extent", or "an adequate amount" as alternatives to "an acceptable level".

Is it better to aim for "an acceptable level" or an optimal level?

Aiming for an optimal level is generally preferable, as it represents the best possible outcome. "An acceptable level" suggests meeting a minimum requirement, while optimal implies exceeding expectations.

What does it mean for something to be "below an acceptable level"?

If something is "below an acceptable level", it means that it fails to meet the minimum required standard. Remedial action is necessary to improve the quality or performance.