far from ideal

USAGE SUMMARY

"far from ideal" is correct and Usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is not desirable or satisfactory. For example: "The weather today was far from ideal for a day at the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's far from ideal.

The New York Times

The existing law is far from ideal.

The New York Times

The old system was far from ideal.

The New York Times

But it is far from ideal.

The Economist

This scattershot approach is far from ideal.

The New York Times

That is far from ideal, however.

The New York Times - Sports

Which is far from ideal.

The Guardian - Sport

This is far from ideal for England.

The Guardian - Sport

But this was far from ideal.

The Guardian - Sport

But our world is far from ideal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet private services are far from ideal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "far from ideal". It's suitable for formal and informal settings where a nuanced expression of imperfection is needed. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive, so vary your language with synonyms.

Common error

Avoid using "far from ideal" to describe catastrophic or extremely negative situations. The phrase is best suited for scenarios that are somewhat disappointing but not devastating. For more severe cases, consider stronger language like "disastrous" or "unacceptable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from ideal" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or situation. It indicates that something does not meet the desired or expected standards. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English, providing numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far from ideal" is a versatile phrase used to express that a situation or condition is less than perfect. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides ample examples across diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, indicating its high acceptance in both formal and informal contexts. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase, serving to express mild disappointment or critique. While it's suitable for various settings, it's best to avoid using it for extremely negative scenarios, opting for stronger language when necessary. Alternative phrases such as "not ideal", "suboptimal", and "less than perfect" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not ideal

This alternative is shorter and more direct, simply negating the state of being ideal.

imperfect

This alternative is a simple and direct way to say that something has flaws.

suboptimal

This alternative uses a single word to convey that something is less than optimal.

less than perfect

This alternative uses a more descriptive and less technical way to express imperfection.

not up to par

This alternative uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that something does not meet expectations.

not quite right

This alternative uses a more informal tone to indicate that something is off or amiss.

leaves much to be desired

This alternative expresses a stronger sense of dissatisfaction.

deficient

This alternative highlights a lack of essential qualities or components.

inadequate

This alternative suggests that something is insufficient or not good enough for a particular purpose.

unsatisfactory

This alternative directly states that something does not meet required standards or expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "far from ideal" in a sentence?

You can use "far from ideal" to describe a situation that has shortcomings or is less than perfect. For example, "The weather conditions were "far from ideal" for the outdoor concert", indicating that the weather wasn't good, but the concert still proceeded.

What are some alternatives to saying "far from ideal"?

Alternatives to "far from ideal" include phrases like "not ideal", "suboptimal", or "less than perfect". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of negativity you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "far from ideal" in formal writing?

Yes, "far from ideal" is appropriate for formal writing. It provides a nuanced way to express that something is not perfect without being overly critical. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of your document.

What's the difference between "far from ideal" and "unacceptable"?

"Far from ideal" suggests that something is not as good as it could be, while "unacceptable" indicates that something is not tolerable or permissible. "The working conditions were "far from ideal"" implies there were issues, but work continued. "The working conditions were unacceptable" suggests they needed immediate change.