it is not ideal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not ideal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a situation or condition is less than perfect or not the best option available. Example: "While the current solution works, it is not ideal for long-term use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is not ideal".

The New York Times

But it is not ideal.

The New York Times - Sports

The timing of it is not ideal.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is not ideal," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

It is not ideal at the moment.

The Guardian - Sport

It is not ideal, but the approach works reasonably well.

The Economist

It is not ideal, but is surely better than now.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We all recognize it is not ideal," Dr. Farley said dryly.

The New York Times

But for Democratic candidates hoping to stay on message, it is not ideal.

The New York Times

It's where nobody would have recommended we be a decade ago, and it is not ideal.

The New York Times

But it is not ideal, as President Obama's staff has discovered during the past seven years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not ideal" to acknowledge a problem without being overly negative. It's suitable for professional communication when you need to address shortcomings diplomatically.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "it is not ideal" without suggesting improvements or alternatives. Provide constructive feedback or potential solutions to demonstrate problem-solving skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not ideal" serves as a subject complement, providing information about the subject ('it'). It functions to express a negative evaluation or assessment of a situation, indicating that it is less than perfect but not necessarily unacceptable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not ideal" is a versatile expression used to convey that a situation is less than perfect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across a variety of contexts. It's particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science, suggesting a neutral tone appropriate for professional communication. While there are numerous alternatives, such as "it is suboptimal" or "it is less than perfect", "it is not ideal" offers a balanced way to acknowledge issues without being overly critical. Remember to follow up with solutions or explanations to provide a more complete and constructive message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is suboptimal

Replaces "ideal" with "suboptimal", suggesting something is less than the best.

it is not the best case

Uses "best case" to imply the situation could be better, adding a slightly more descriptive tone.

it is less than perfect

Emphasizes the imperfection of the situation more directly.

it is not the preferred option

Highlights that there are better alternatives available.

it is not advisable

Indicates that the action or situation is not recommended.

it is far from perfect

Strengthens the idea that the situation has significant flaws.

it is not particularly good

Downplays the positivity of the situation, suggesting mild inadequacy.

it leaves something to be desired

Expresses a lack of satisfaction or completeness.

it is not up to par

Suggests the situation fails to meet the expected standard.

it's a compromise

Highlights that the situation is an accepted deviation from the best possible outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not ideal" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not ideal" to express that a situation or condition is less than perfect. For example, "While the current solution works, "it is not ideal" for long-term use."

What are some alternatives to saying "it is not ideal"?

You can use alternatives like "it is suboptimal", "it is less than perfect", or "it is not the preferred option" depending on the context.

Is "it is not ideal" formal or informal?

"It is not ideal" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans towards being slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "it is not ideal" and "it is not perfect"?

Both phrases express imperfection, but "it is not perfect" directly states something isn't flawless, while ""it is not ideal"" implies a deviation from the best or most suitable option.