moderately dependable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moderately dependable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is somewhat reliable but not entirely so. Example: "While the car is moderately dependable, it has had its share of mechanical issues over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's been pretty dependable.

The New York Times - Sports

· Moderately good looking.

Huffington Post

The food here is the opposite of bombastic -- honest, dependable, middle-of-the-road Tuscan cooking, well executed, generously portioned and only moderately expensive.

The New York Times

"Totally dependable".

The New Yorker

Something dependable.

The Washington Post

Snacks were more dependable.

The New York Times

And are they dependable?

The New York Times

Moderately heavy.

The New York Times - Style

"Moderately prosperous.

The New Yorker

"Moderately so".

The New Yorker

But he's dependable".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moderately dependable" when you want to express a cautious endorsement of someone or something's reliability, rather than a strong or unqualified one.

Common error

Avoid using "moderately dependable" when a higher degree of certainty is required; it implies a level of doubt that may be inappropriate in critical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moderately dependable" functions primarily as an adjective modifier. It is used to qualify the degree of dependability of a noun. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moderately dependable" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is reliable to a limited extent. While deemed correct by Ludwig, its usage is infrequent. It functions as an adjective modifier, serving to qualify the degree of reliability. Alternatives such as "somewhat reliable" or "fairly dependable" may offer similar meanings. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is appropriate for general use, maintaining a neutral tone without being overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Moderately reliable

This substitutes 'dependable' with 'reliable', keeping the 'moderately' adverb.

Somewhat reliable

This alternative uses different words to express a similar level of dependability.

Fairly dependable

This alternative uses 'fairly' instead of 'moderately' to indicate a similar degree.

Reasonably reliable

This alternative replaces 'dependable' with 'reliable' and 'moderately' with 'reasonably'.

Partially dependable

This alternative emphasizes that the dependability is not complete or total.

Adequately dependable

This phrase uses 'adequately' to replace 'moderately', suggesting a sufficient level of dependability.

Slightly trustworthy

This alternative uses 'trustworthy' instead of 'dependable' and 'slightly' for 'moderately'.

To some extent dependable

This alternative highlights the partial aspect of the dependability.

Not entirely dependable

This phrases implies the thing/person is dependable to some extent, but there is some level of concern.

Kind of dependable

This is a more informal alternative, using 'kind of' to express moderate dependability.

FAQs

How can I use "moderately dependable" in a sentence?

You might say, "The car is "moderately dependable" for short trips, but I wouldn't rely on it for a cross-country journey".

What are some alternatives to "moderately dependable"?

Consider using alternatives such as "somewhat reliable", "fairly dependable", or "reasonably reliable" depending on the context.

Is "moderately dependable" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "moderately dependable" might sound less forceful than alternatives like "adequately dependable" in formal contexts. Choose based on the desired tone.

What's the difference between "moderately dependable" and "very dependable"?

"Moderately dependable" suggests a limited or qualified reliability, while "very dependable" implies a high degree of trustworthiness and consistency.