better than satisfactory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better than satisfactory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of quality or performance that exceeds mere satisfaction, indicating a positive evaluation. Example: "The service at the restaurant was better than satisfactory; the staff was attentive and the food was delicious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Writing here in 1999, Catherine Jones found East no better than satisfactory, and when I visited as a civilian that spring, the rating struck me as generous.

The New York Times

More than two-fifths of early years educators were judged no better than satisfactory at their last two inspections, and more than one in 10 had dropped a grade, according to the watchdog's annual report in November.

The Guardian

On one question, asking if current economic conditions were good, satisfactory or bad, the overall response was slightly better than satisfactory, with the most enthusiasm from North America, Asia and the former Soviet Union.

The New York Times

In 1992, Bangkok Garden was no better than Satisfactory, but a funny thing has happened as time passed: the blossoms of creativity have catapulted this garden into a Very Good one indeed.

The New York Times

More than two fifths of early years educators were judged no better than satisfactory at their last two inspections, and over one in 10 had dropped a grade, according to the watchdog's annual report, published in November.

Independent

According to the latest Ofsted figures, behaviour is no better than satisfactory in one in six schools.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

At each stop there were better-than satisfactory staircases from which he could descend.

The Washington Post

Likewise the outfield is not great but it is better than here and would be satisfactory".

The Guardian - Sport

The final speed obtained in both implementations is highly satisfactory and better than the speed provided by standard specific hardware.

Applied Soft Computing

Occasional building work is better than nothing, but not a satisfactory substitute for long-term jobs.Not all residents could, however, hope to find work on the estate.

The Economist

The optical purities of the produced l-menthol were also quite satisfactory, all better than 97% ee.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better than satisfactory" to convey a nuanced positive assessment, indicating something goes beyond meeting basic requirements but might not be exceptional. For example, "The project's results were better than satisfactory, demonstrating competence but lacking innovation."

Common error

Avoid using "better than satisfactory" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and descriptive language is expected. Instead of "better than satisfactory", use stronger terms like "excellent" or "outstanding" to convey a clearer evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better than satisfactory" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating that its quality or performance is superior to a baseline level of satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "better than satisfactory" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe something that exceeds basic expectations without being exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral level of formality. For more formal writing, consider stronger alternatives such as "excellent" or "outstanding". While not as frequently used as other expressions, "better than satisfactory" effectively communicates a nuanced positive assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above satisfactory

This alternative omits the comparative element and directly indicates a higher level of satisfaction.

more than adequate

This phrase uses "adequate" as a baseline, suggesting the subject surpasses mere adequacy.

exceeding expectations

This indicates that the subject has surpassed what was initially anticipated.

superior to satisfactory

Replaces "better" with "superior", emphasizing a higher level of quality compared to satisfactory.

beyond satisfactory

Indicates that the subject goes past the point of just being satisfactory.

improved compared to satisfactory

Focuses on the aspect of improvement from a satisfactory state.

a cut above satisfactory

Suggests a noticeable difference in quality, being better than just satisfactory.

passable and then some

An informal phrase indicating something is not only passable but also has additional qualities.

acceptable and more

Suggests the subject is more than just acceptable, implying additional positive attributes.

not bad at all

An understatement that implies a positive evaluation, suggesting it is more than just satisfactory.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "better than satisfactory"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate something is good but not exceptional. It suggests a level of performance or quality that exceeds basic requirements but doesn't reach the highest standards. For instance, "The presentation was better than satisfactory, with clear points but lacking impactful delivery".

What are some alternatives to "better than satisfactory"?

You can use alternatives like "above average", "more than adequate", or "exceeding expectations" depending on the specific context. These phrases convey similar meanings but may have slightly different connotations.

How does "better than satisfactory" compare to "satisfactory"?

"Satisfactory" indicates a basic level of acceptance or meeting minimum requirements. "Better than satisfactory" implies a level of performance or quality that surpasses these minimum requirements, suggesting a positive but not necessarily outstanding result.

Is "better than satisfactory" a formal or informal expression?

It falls in a neutral to slightly formal register. While grammatically correct and understandable, it might be preferable to use more precise language in highly formal or academic contexts. In less formal settings, it's perfectly acceptable.