far from satisfactory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far from satisfactory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not satisfactory or not satisfactory enough. Example: The results of the experiment were far from satisfactory.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That would be far from satisfactory.

The Economist

These, though helpful, were far from satisfactory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, a tweaked bill has produced a far from satisfactory result.

The Guardian

"The exports of [China's] cultural products are far from satisfactory," wrote one commentator today.

The New Yorker

Respectable – but figures that, for a major studio, would be far from satisfactory.

The Guardian - Film

For some Indonesians, the charging of Mr. Suharto today was far from satisfactory.

The New York Times

That is not the position, and filleting the bill produces a result that is far from satisfactory.

The Guardian

Mr. Bernanke's verdict on Friday was unambiguous: "The economic situation obviously is far from satisfactory," he said.

The New York Times

This is one reason why the performance of the Public Distribution System has been far from satisfactory in many states.

The New York Times

However, this explanation is far from satisfactory.

SEP

This approach is often far from satisfactory.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far from satisfactory" to express a significant degree of disappointment or inadequacy, especially when a simple 'unsatisfactory' isn't strong enough. This construction adds emphasis.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "far from satisfactory" in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "not good enough" or "disappointing" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from satisfactory" functions as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun. It indicates a state or condition that is significantly below expectations or requirements. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far from satisfactory" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a notable lack of satisfaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression in English. While versatile, it's more suited for neutral to formal contexts. Consider alternatives such as "less than ideal" or "not up to par" for more casual settings. Ludwig's examples show the phrase's application across diverse fields, from science to news, highlighting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaves much to be desired

Emphasizes the lack of desired qualities, implying a significant shortfall.

less than ideal

Replaces "satisfactory" with a more general term for acceptability, altering the tone slightly.

falling short

Highlights the failure to reach a specific target or expectation.

not good enough

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct and straightforward expression of inadequacy.

inadequate

Directly states the insufficiency of something, similar to "not good enough" but slightly more formal.

not up to par

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate that something does not meet the required standard.

disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of letdown caused by the inadequacy.

suboptimal

Replaces the qualitative assessment with a more technical term.

deficient

Indicates a lack of something essential or required, focusing on the missing aspect.

unacceptable

Indicates that something does not meet the minimum requirements and cannot be tolerated.

FAQs

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

You can use "far from satisfactory" to describe a situation, result, or performance that does not meet expectations. For example, "The customer service was "far from satisfactory"."

What are some alternatives to "far from satisfactory"?

Alternatives include "less than ideal", "not up to par", or "leaves much to be desired". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "far from satisfactory"?

It is appropriate to use "far from satisfactory" in formal writing or speech when you want to express a strong sense of disappointment or inadequacy. It's suitable for professional, academic, or news contexts.

Is "far from satisfactory" the same as "unsatisfactory"?

While similar, "far from satisfactory" is stronger and emphasizes a greater degree of deficiency than simply "unsatisfactory". It implies a significant shortfall from what was expected or required.