barely acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that meets the minimum standards or requirements but is not satisfactory or ideal. Example: "The quality of the report was barely acceptable, and it needed significant revisions before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

That process is considered barely acceptable for human vaccine today.

The New York Times

And this isn't just me giving you permission or a barely acceptable compromise.

The New York Times - Magazine

A new plan to allow snowmobiles into Yellowstone is a bad and barely acceptable compromise.

The New York Times

Guaraldi's jazz improvisations on "Linus and Lucy" are blocky and just barely acceptable.

The New Yorker

A large proportion of the others would be barely acceptable at the community college level in America.

The Economist

Among those, 85percentt reported operating in buildings that were in an unacceptable or barely acceptable condition.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Glenn Maxwell made a gallant 95 in the Bushrangers' first innings, resurrecting that total from 109-6 to a barely-acceptable 218.

The Guardian - Sport

That argument is barely more acceptable to Mr Kerry than it is to Mr Bush.

The Economist

Yet even the really big firms are paying staff a lot but barely making acceptable profits on their newly enlarged capital bases Goldman's return on equity (ROE) was 10% in the third quarter.

The Economist

What made me mad is that said venues are happy to take the billions that games earn but still treat them as barely more acceptable than porn.

TechCrunch

It's barely an acceptable behavior at premieres and in day to day life, it's completely unacceptable.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely acceptable" to convey a sense of disappointment or reservation, even when acknowledging a minimum standard has been met. This can add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "barely acceptable" when a more positive term is warranted. If the subject is genuinely good or meets expectations adequately, using this phrase can create a negative impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely acceptable" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality or state of something, indicating that it meets the minimum requirements but is not particularly good or satisfactory. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely acceptable" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that meets the minimum requirements, though not ideally. Ludwig's analysis shows it's used in various contexts, including news, science and formal writing, indicating a neutral register. While "barely acceptable" is widely understood, choosing synonyms like "hardly acceptable" or "minimally acceptable" can provide more nuance. According to Ludwig, understanding the subtle differences between these options enhances clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly acceptable

Emphasizes a slightly stronger degree of inadequacy compared to "barely acceptable".

just acceptable

Indicates a minimal level of acceptance, similar to "barely acceptable".

minimally acceptable

Highlights the minimum requirements for something to be considered acceptable.

scarcely acceptable

Implies a slight doubt regarding the acceptability of something.

marginally acceptable

Suggests that something is acceptable only to a small degree.

barely tolerable

Shifts focus to the degree to which something can be endured rather than accepted.

within acceptable limits

Focuses on the boundaries of acceptability rather than the state itself.

almost acceptable

Indicates that something is close to being acceptable, but not quite.

technically acceptable

Suggests that something meets the formal requirements of acceptability, but may not be ideal.

grudgingly acceptable

Indicates that something is accepted with reluctance or hesitation.

FAQs

What does "barely acceptable" mean?

The phrase "barely acceptable" describes something that meets the minimum requirements or standards, but is not ideal or satisfactory. It implies a sense of inadequacy or a low level of approval.

How can I use "barely acceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "barely acceptable" to describe a situation, condition, or performance that is just good enough to be tolerated. For example: "The quality of his work was "barely acceptable", but we had no other choice but to accept it."

What are some alternatives to "barely acceptable"?

Alternatives to "barely acceptable" include "hardly acceptable", "just acceptable", "minimally acceptable", or "marginally acceptable". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "barely acceptable"?

Yes, "barely acceptable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It accurately conveys the meaning of something meeting the lowest level of acceptability.