it has been acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was deemed satisfactory or appropriate in the past. Example: "In previous meetings, it has been acceptable to present our findings in this format."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Of course, it has been acceptable in the lamestream media for the radical right to call our own president Neville Chamberlain... and, when it suits them, Hitler, Stalin, tyrant, socialist, communist, Kenyan, dictator and, according to Marco Rubio (R-FL), having "no class".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If we rightly condemn ethnic cleansing in Bosnia in 1992, then how can it have been acceptable in 1945?

The Economist

Questions assessing the suitability of this choice, by considering whether it had been acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe at the time revealed inappropriateness in 45 mothers (68%), while 11% reported no counseling prior to commencing formula feeding.

BMC Public Health

"There's no way it would have been acceptable to remove a sample of the Lycurgus cup," says Freestone.

The Guardian

ANAL A few years ago it might have been acceptable to be a whore who "doesn't do anal".

Vice

One could argue that it would have been acceptable for an old man to send someone in his stead, but he came, sat through all the drooling madness of aspirational stardom and accepted his distinction.

Huffington Post

If the number and thus the proportion of samples taken within each site cluster had remained the same for all three surveys, it would have been acceptable to estimate f, a and b separately for each survey and then make a direct comparison of these estimates.

Plosone

The results showed that with this drug combination, it may have been acceptable to simply use the doses of each agent that are considered optimal as monotherapies.

Advances in Therapy

Except for the purge of the electoral rolls of "crypto-Orangists" and other reactionaries, it might therefore have been acceptable for the moderates, obviating the need for the January coup.

Wikipedia

First, ethically it would not have been acceptable to potentially exacerbate an eating disorder in a clinical sample.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

8 Although we considered this approach, we thought that it would not have been acceptable in any of our recruitment centres, where oxytocin bolus is standard practice.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates who deemed it acceptable and why. Adding this context enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid assuming universal agreement. Just because "it has been acceptable" within a specific group or timeframe doesn't mean it's universally accepted or remains so today. Always clarify the scope and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been acceptable" functions as a statement indicating that something was considered permissible, satisfactory, or appropriate at some point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

40%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been acceptable" is a grammatically sound phrase indicating that something was permissible or satisfactory in the past. According to Ludwig, the phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. When using this phrase, provide context to avoid ambiguity and specify who considered something acceptable. Alternatives include "it was permissible" or "it was deemed appropriate". While versatile, it's crucial to ensure that its application aligns with intended formality and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was permissible

Replaces "acceptable" with "permissible", focusing on the allowance of something.

it was allowable

Similar to permissible, but can also imply a formal authorization or permission.

it was considered adequate

Shifts the focus to the adequacy or sufficiency of something rather than its general acceptance.

it was deemed appropriate

Emphasizes the appropriateness of something, suggesting it met the required standards.

it was regarded as satisfactory

Highlights the satisfaction derived from something, focusing on contentment with its state.

it was viewed as tolerable

Suggests a reluctant acceptance, implying something was endured rather than welcomed.

it met the requirements

Emphasizes that something fulfilled the necessary conditions or specifications.

it was in accordance with the rules

Focuses on compliance with regulations or guidelines, indicating something met the necessary criteria.

it passed muster

Suggests something was scrutinized and found to be good enough, though perhaps not exceptional.

it was standard practice

Indicates something was a customary or typical way of doing things, implying general acceptance through convention.

FAQs

How can I use "it has been acceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "it has been acceptable" to describe past practices or norms. For instance, "In previous meetings, "it has been acceptable" to present our findings in this format."

What are some alternatives to "it has been acceptable"?

Alternatives include "it was permissible", "it was deemed appropriate", or "it was considered adequate" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it has been acceptable" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it has been acceptable" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate that something was acceptable at some point in the past.

What's the difference between "it has been acceptable" and "it is acceptable"?

"It has been acceptable" refers to a past state or practice, while "it is acceptable" indicates current acceptability. The first implies a historical context, whereas the second indicates present permission or agreement.