is serviceable enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is serviceable enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is adequate or satisfactory for a particular purpose, though it may not be exceptional. Example: "The old laptop is serviceable enough for basic tasks like browsing the internet and word processing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

On Monday the PBS series "American Experience" offers its take on Lee, and the account is serviceable enough.

The New York Times - Arts

And while his delivery doesn't have the punch of, say, a Chris Rock, his humor is serviceable enough to draw more than a few guilty laughs.

The New York Times

(Brantley) 'THE FOURPOSThe' The Keen Company's revival of this two-hander by Jan de Hartog chronicling several decades in the life of a married couple is serviceable enough, but it makes you suspect that folks were a little too easily amused back in the early 1950s, when "The Fourposter" won the best-play Tony (1 40).

The New York Times

But watched on auto-pilot, Whitechapel is serviceable enough; Rupert Penry-Jones as the OCD DI Chandler and Phil Davis as the downbeat DS Miles make a decent double-act, and the episode ended with a top-rate locked-cell cliffhanger.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(Jason Zinoman) 'THE FOURPOSThe' The Keen Company's revival of this two-hander by Jan de Hartog chronicling several decades in the life of a married couple is serviceable enough, but it makes you suspect that folks were a little too easily amused back in the early 1950s, when "The Fourposter" won the best-play Tony (1 40).

The New York Times

Norman's calypso-heavy score, with familiar sounding suspense and action music, is serviceable enough in Dr. No.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Perhaps 99 percent of those snaps have been serviceable enough to be caught by the holder and spotted for the kicker, but to DeOssie, none have ever been flawless.

The New York Times - Sports

Other Van Peebleses also populate the movie, and all are serviceable enough as actors; it would be nice to see them in less earnest, more original material.

The New York Times

As frontwomen for producer Dallas Austin's glistening pop nuggets, they are serviceable enough, though Austin's claim that they are his new TLC is a depressingly accurate gauge of pop in 2008.

The Guardian - Music

It's no So Ghetto – what is? – but it's serviceable enough; the line "Vogueing on these niggas, champagne on my breath" means it immediately requires the video treatment, if only to see Jay-Z vogueing.

The Guardian - Music

It's the kind of club track that's serviceable enough in the moment, but it's not likely to stick in your head on the cab ride home at 2 a.m".. Emily Exton of PopDust contributor wrote that Spears' contribution is an improvement from "will's monotonous requests to 'lose control'letlet it go' and 'hit the floor'," but said that the song needed "something more from Britney to balance this out".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is serviceable enough", ensure the context clarifies what purpose or standard the subject is meeting. This prevents ambiguity about the degree of serviceability.

Common error

Avoid using "is serviceable enough" when describing something truly exceptional. This phrase implies adequacy, not superiority, so choose stronger adjectives if the subject exceeds expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is serviceable enough" functions as a descriptive qualifier, indicating that something meets a minimal level of acceptability or adequacy for a particular purpose. It suggests the subject is functional but not necessarily exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is serviceable enough" is grammatically sound and used to describe something that meets basic requirements without being exceptional. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias.

While moderately frequent and generally neutral in tone, it's important to ensure the context clearly defines the standard being met. Alternatives like "is adequately functional" or "meets the basic needs" can offer nuanced expression. When in doubt, consider the degree to which the subject meets or exceeds expectations to choose the most appropriate descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is adequately functional

Replaces "serviceable" with "adequately functional", emphasizing the level of functionality.

is sufficiently adequate

Uses "sufficiently adequate" instead of "serviceable enough", stressing the sufficiency aspect.

is reasonably acceptable

Employs "reasonably acceptable" to convey a similar meaning of being good enough.

is good enough for the purpose

Adds "for the purpose" to clarify the context of being serviceable.

is adequate to requirements

Uses a more formal tone by saying "adequate to requirements".

meets the basic needs

Focuses on meeting basic needs, implying a level of serviceability.

is minimally acceptable

Emphasizes the bare minimum level of acceptability.

does the trick

An idiomatic expression meaning it gets the job done.

fills the bill

Another idiomatic expression indicating it satisfies the requirements.

is up to par

Uses "up to par" to suggest meeting a certain standard.

FAQs

How can I use "is serviceable enough" in a sentence?

Use "is serviceable enough" to indicate that something meets a basic requirement or is adequate for a specific purpose, even if it's not exceptional. For example, "The old car is serviceable enough for short trips around town."

What's a more formal alternative to "is serviceable enough"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is sufficiently adequate" or "meets the basic needs" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "is serviceable enough" always a positive statement?

While generally positive, "is serviceable enough" can sometimes imply a lack of excellence. It suggests adequacy rather than superiority. Context is crucial in determining its connotation.

What can I say instead of "is serviceable enough" when something exceeds expectations?

If something is better than just "serviceable enough", consider using stronger terms such as "is exceptional", "is outstanding", or "is superior" to accurately reflect its quality.