is not quite up to par

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not quite up to par" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not meet a certain standard or expectation. Example: "The quality of the report is not quite up to par, and we need to make some revisions before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He says there have already been a couple of American reviews saying the book is "not quite up to par.

The Guardian - Books

Reflecting on his experience at the school, he said, matter of factly, "This year has tempered my ambitions since my calculus score is not quite up to par".

The New York Times

If you feel your accountant is not quite up to par, just have a conversation.

Forbes

(When was the last time you thought about what kind of monster you would adopt as a pet?) Although often their technical skill is not quite up to par, their visions are often more imaginative and complex than ours.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It kind of implies that something isn't quite up to par".

The New York Times

Oh, and Apple's computer recycling program isn't quite up to par, as determined by Portfolio.

TechCrunch

Still, even if the quality isn't quite up to par, the massive built-in userbase means Facebook Questions will be a success regardless.

TechCrunch

But the execution of that idea isn't quite up to par in the first episode of "Rake".

Huffington Post

"To be quite frank, we're not quite up to par with what's going on".

The New York Times - Sports

The set was very monumental, but unfortunately the acting wasn't quite up to par.

The Guardian

The first generation of devices delivered great battery life, but performance wasn't quite up to par.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not quite up to par" when you want to politely point out a deficiency without being overly critical. It's suitable for professional feedback, suggesting improvements rather than outright rejection.

Common error

While versatile, using "is not quite up to par" repeatedly in formal reports can sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "suboptimal" or "below expectations" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not quite up to par" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something does not meet a certain standard or expectation. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is a polite way to express a deficiency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not quite up to par" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something doesn't meet the required standard, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is primarily used for constructive criticism in professional and neutral contexts, such as news, business, and academic discussions. While versatile, varying your language with synonyms is recommended for formal reports. Consider alternatives like "is somewhat deficient" or "does not fully meet expectations" to avoid repetition and maintain a professional tone. This phrase strikes a balance between politeness and clarity, making it suitable for giving feedback and suggesting improvements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat deficient

Indicates a slight lack or inadequacy; focuses on the deficiency rather than a comparison to a standard.

is a little below standard

Directly compares something to a defined standard, indicating it is slightly lower.

is somewhat substandard

Implies a level of quality that is less than what is generally accepted or expected.

is not entirely satisfactory

Suggests that something falls short of being completely pleasing or acceptable.

does not fully meet expectations

Highlights the discrepancy between actual performance and anticipated standards.

is not completely adequate

Indicates that something is insufficient or not good enough for a particular purpose.

doesn't quite measure up

Suggests a failure to reach a certain level or standard, often in a competitive context.

falls a bit short

Emphasizes the failure to reach a specific target or goal by a small margin.

is marginally insufficient

Indicates a slight lack of the necessary qualities or quantities.

is just under the mark

Suggests that something has almost achieved the required level or standard, but not quite.

FAQs

How can I use "is not quite up to par" in a sentence?

You can use "is not quite up to par" to politely indicate that something does not meet the required standard or expectation. For example, "The quality of the report "is not quite up to par", and we need to make some revisions before submission."

What are some alternatives to "is not quite up to par"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is somewhat deficient", "is a little below standard", or "does not fully meet expectations", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is not up to par" or "is not quite up to par"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "is not quite up to par" often implies a milder critique, suggesting that something is close to meeting the standard but needs slight improvement. "Is not up to par" can sound more critical.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "is not quite up to par"?

"Is not quite up to par" is suitable in professional settings, providing feedback, or when discussing performance or quality without being overly negative. It is a polite way of suggesting improvement is needed.