just passable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just passable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is only satisfactory or acceptable, but not exceptional or outstanding. Example: "The food at the restaurant was just passable; I expected much better based on the reviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

My restaurant French was just passable.

The New Yorker

On the first day they were just passable, but by the third they were pretty darn good.

The New York Times - Food

If the tomatoes are just passable, a slow oven and a roasting rack will bring out their best.

The New York Times - Food

At lunch the food was just passable pasta and hamburgers, but the service was relatively good by Amtrak standards (not a high bar, admittedly).

The New York Times - Travel

Pier 5's breakfast buffet (included with the room) was just passable; the best thing about it was the fresh fruit and cereal selection.

The New York Times - Travel

While the rooms are small, the restaurants just passable and the bar features a Russian violin and piano duo reprising American pop from the 70's, the Cham Palace's lobby and atrium is simply extraordinary.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

With the collapse of the Taliban regime, local warlords set up a series of roadblocks: often just a piece of string manned by guards with Kalashnikovs - but still only passable by paying a large bribe.

The Guardian

Short Version: The audio is only passable (at least at speed) and the fit questionable, but hey, these do just what they set out to do: put some headphones in a decent hat.

TechCrunch

And his Persian is only passable.

The New York Times

His French, he says, is only passable.

The Guardian - Books

At the same time, Björling's French "is only passable".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "just passable" with a specific noun to provide context. For example: "just passable food" or "just passable performance".

Common error

Avoid using "just passable" in highly formal or professional documents where a more positive or detailed assessment is expected. Opt for alternatives that offer a more nuanced evaluation, such as "adequate" or "satisfactory".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just passable" functions primarily as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun. It expresses a subjective assessment of something's quality, indicating that it barely meets the minimum acceptable standard. Ludwig AI's examples show it describing food, roads, performances and entertainment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just passable" is a useful adjective phrase for describing something that meets a minimum level of acceptability. Ludwig's AI confirms it is grammatically correct and finds it used most commonly in news and media. When using "just passable", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality. While it's a handy term, remember that other words such as "barely adequate" or "somewhat satisfactory" might be more appropriate depending on the message you are conveying.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely adequate

Indicates a minimal level of acceptability, possibly lower than "just passable".

marginally acceptable

Suggests something is acceptable by a narrow margin.

somewhat satisfactory

Implies a degree of satisfaction, but not complete fulfillment.

scarcely sufficient

Highlights the barely adequate nature of something.

tolerable at best

Emphasizes the negative aspects, suggesting it's only bearable.

meets minimum requirements

Focuses on compliance with a specific standard or expectation.

serviceable enough

Suggests something is functional but not necessarily of high quality.

good enough in a pinch

Implies acceptability only in limited or urgent situations.

passable but uninspired

Highlights the lack of creativity or excitement.

adequate at a stretch

Suggests that it's only adequate under certain conditions or with effort.

FAQs

What does "just passable" mean?

The phrase "just passable" means something is acceptable or satisfactory to a minimal degree, but not excellent or outstanding. It implies that something barely meets the required standard.

How can I use "just passable" in a sentence?

You can use "just passable" to describe a variety of things, such as "The quality of the work was "barely adequate"", or "His performance was "adequate at a stretch", but not impressive".

What are some alternatives to "just passable"?

Alternatives to "just passable" include "barely adequate", "marginally acceptable", or "somewhat satisfactory". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "just passable" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "just passable" when you want to describe something that meets a basic standard without exceeding expectations. However, avoid using it in formal contexts where a more detailed or positive assessment is required.