good by itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good by itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is satisfactory or acceptable on its own, without needing any additional elements or modifications. Example: "The dish was good by itself, but adding a side of vegetables made it even better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Good by itself is not interesting.

The New York Times - Magazine

In this work, a high entropy MoTaVWZr alloy (HEA) is considered for this task, because each one of the constituents is already good by itself under extreme irradiation condition.

Materials & Design

F major and D minor are closely related keys, and it would not be possible to omit a single movement without destroying the symmetry of the whole (not that either group of three, or even each dance, does not sound good by itself).

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I think that probably clarifies things pretty good by itself".

Vice

Well-made polenta is good by itself -- just stir in a lot of butter and Parmigiano.

Los Angeles Times

Whipped cream might taste good by itself, but it certainly tastes better when incorporated into a chocolate mousse.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Made of leather-wrapped metal with a wood top, it functions -- and looks -- just as good all by itself.

The New York Times - Magazine

And I found that focusing at work was a good thing by itself, but focus does not explain the difference between good and great performance.

Forbes

Stopping that sort of thing by bringing the price down would be a good thing by itself.

The Economist

That idea is nothing if not teleological – which is no good reason, by itself, to think it untrue.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Kiriakou's briefing, which he reprised in a telephone interview, could make a pretty good movie by itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "good by itself" to describe elements that don't require enhancements to be appreciated or effective. For example, when discussing food, music, or design, this phrase can highlight inherent quality.

Common error

Avoid using "good by itself" in scenarios where interdependence or integration is key. Overusing it can imply simplicity where nuance is needed. Instead, use it when the focus is on individual merit and self-sufficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good by itself" typically functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something is satisfactory or acceptable in its isolated state. Ludwig examples show its application to food, technology, and abstract concepts, consistently highlighting inherent qualities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "good by itself" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes something as satisfactory or acceptable without needing additional elements. According to Ludwig, it's commonly used in contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias to highlight the inherent quality or self-sufficiency of a subject. While "good by itself" is generally neutral in register, it’s essential to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in complex scenarios where interdependence is key. Alternatives like "satisfactory on its own" or "fine as is" can provide nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfactory on its own

Emphasizes the adequacy of something without needing additional elements.

fine as is

Highlights that no changes or additions are necessary.

acceptable without modification

Focuses on the lack of need for alterations.

sufficient in isolation

Stresses the self-sufficiency of the item or concept.

adequate by itself

Similar to "good", but emphasizes a minimum level of acceptance.

complete as it stands

Indicates a sense of wholeness and readiness.

serviceable on its own merits

Focuses on the functional qualities of something in isolation.

self-contained

Highlights the independent nature of something.

intrinsically good

Focuses on the inherent qualities that make it good.

inherently satisfactory

Emphasizes the inherent satisfaction derived from it.

FAQs

How can I use "good by itself" in a sentence?

You can use "good by itself" to describe something that is satisfactory or acceptable without needing additional elements or modifications. For instance: "The sauce is "good by itself", but it's even better with pasta".

What are some alternatives to "good by itself"?

Alternatives include "satisfactory on its own", "fine as is", or "sufficient in isolation", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "good by itself"?

While grammatically correct, "good by itself" is best suited for situations where something's standalone quality is being emphasized. In contexts requiring interdependence or collaboration, other phrases may be more fitting.

What does "good by itself" imply about the subject being described?

It implies that the subject possesses inherent qualities that make it satisfactory or valuable without needing external factors. This can highlight simplicity, purity, or completeness.