generally acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

"generally acceptable" is correct and can be used in written English.
Generally acceptable means that something is accepted or approved by most people or by society as a whole. You can use it to describe a rule, behavior, or decision that is widely accepted. For example: The idea that everyone should treat each other with kindness and respect is generally accepted.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dropout rates were generally acceptable.

Journal of Physiotherapy

And the singers were generally acceptable.

The New York Times - Arts

Only one-third said interracial marriage was generally acceptable.

The New York Times

In Los Angeles, it is generally acceptable to arrive fashionably late.

The New York Times - Sports

For one thing, it makes ethyl alcohol, alone among the many alcohols, a generally acceptable beverage.

The New Yorker

Corporate buck-passing has meant it's generally acceptable to abdicate responsibility.

The Guardian

European analysts say levels of 30percentto40percentcent are generally acceptable.

The New York Times

The dying of honeybees is a natural and generally acceptable phenomenon.

The Washington Post

It was assumed that God's existence must be validly inferred from generally acceptable premises.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The agreement with the experimental data is generally acceptable within the given experimental uncertainty.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

The constructional details are generally acceptable to ensure good performance of the PBRBFs.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "generally acceptable", ensure the context clearly defines the group or standard by which something is deemed acceptable. Providing specific context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "generally acceptable" without clarifying who finds it acceptable. For example, instead of saying "the solution is generally acceptable", specify "the solution is generally acceptable to the engineering team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally acceptable" functions as an adjective phrase that typically modifies a noun. It describes the degree to which something meets the standards or expectations of a group, suggesting it is widely recognized and approved as per Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generally acceptable" is a common and versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that is widely agreed upon, approved, or tolerated within a specific context. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various settings. The analysis reveals that it's most frequently used in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to clarify the group or standard by which something is deemed acceptable to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "widely approved" or "commonly agreed upon" can offer subtle differences in meaning. Overall, "generally acceptable" is a valuable phrase for expressing agreement and adequacy, as confirmed by Ludwig's AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely approved

Focuses on the broad approval rather than just acceptance.

commonly agreed upon

Emphasizes the agreement aspect rather than simple acceptance.

largely recognized

Highlights the recognition or acknowledgement by a significant portion of people.

broadly supported

Stresses the support or endorsement from a wide group.

ordinarily permissible

Focuses on the permission aspect in standard situations.

customarily tolerated

Indicates a level of tolerance based on custom or tradition.

typically allowed

Highlights the allowance under normal circumstances.

usually sanctioned

Emphasizes official approval or authorization.

fairly standard

Indicates conformity with a normal or typical standard.

reasonably satisfactory

Focuses on the satisfactory level being reasonable under the circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "generally acceptable" to describe something that is widely agreed upon or tolerated. For example, "It is generally acceptable to arrive a few minutes late to an informal meeting".

What are some alternatives to "generally acceptable"?

Alternatives include "widely approved", "commonly agreed upon", or "largely recognized", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify who finds something "generally acceptable"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the group or standard enhances clarity. For instance, stating "the proposal is generally acceptable to the board" is more precise than saying "the proposal is generally acceptable".

What's the difference between "generally acceptable" and "universally acceptable"?

"Generally acceptable" implies acceptance by a majority, while "universally acceptable" suggests acceptance by everyone. The former allows for some dissent, whereas the latter does not. Thus "universally acceptable" is a much stronger expression than "generally acceptable".