nearly acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is close to being acceptable but not quite there yet. Example: "The proposal was nearly acceptable, but it still needed some revisions before approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

During World War II, American posters pictured the Japanese as yellow devils, encouraging a degree of generalized hate that made the heavy losses in the Pacific more bearable and the internment of Japanese-Americans more nearly acceptable.

The New York Times - Arts

It's something that can be trivialised by many people and seen as nearly acceptable.

TechCrunch

Checking your phone is the official, and nearly acceptable, way to say you're boring me.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As Neuendorf (2002: 45) points out, in terms of inter-coder reliability, "coefficients of.90 or greater are nearly always acceptable".

Functional Linguistics

And despite most participants saying that drug treatment for depression is acceptable, nearly 58% said that too many people are diagnosed with depression when they don't really have it.

BMC Psychiatry

By Michael Specter November 19 , 2012If the need for a new approach to the American electorate wasn't clear enough to Republicans on November 6th, it certainly has been since Mitt Romney delivered his graceless coup de grace a few days later — when he essentially accused President Obama of buying the election by offering students affordable loans and nearly everyone else acceptable health care.

The New Yorker

If the need for a new approach to the American electorate wasn't clear enough to Republicans on November 6th, it certainly has been since Mitt Romney delivered his graceless coup de grace a few days later — when he essentially accused President Obama of buying the election by offering students affordable loans and nearly everyone else acceptable health care.

The New Yorker

For Paris is not only about world leaders trying to find an agreement acceptable to nearly 200 countries for whom the consequences of global warming will be existentially different.

The Guardian - Opinion

This scenario, which in theory is covered by the law (in practice the definitive will of relatives will not be overruled), is acceptable for nearly one third of the students but only 18% of the ICU nurses, whereas nearly half of the patients from the transplantation outpatient clinic think that this is acceptable.

BMC Medical Ethics

B4 Lead Levels Linked to 9/11 Classroom ventilators at Stuyvesant High School are contaminated with nearly 30 times the acceptable level of lead, some of it probably from the trade center collapse, tests show.

The New York Times

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nearly acceptable" when you want to convey that something is close to meeting requirements or standards, but still falls slightly short. This is useful in situations where precise language is important.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly acceptable" when the subject is clearly unacceptable. It can soften the message, but also mislead if the gap between the current state and acceptability is too wide.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly acceptable" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun or concept to indicate a state close to being acceptable but not fully meeting the criteria. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly acceptable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that means something is close to, but not quite, acceptable. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its usage across diverse fields like news, science, and general writing. While "nearly acceptable" is not very common, alternatives like "almost acceptable" or "borderline acceptable" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using "nearly acceptable", ensure the subject is actually close to the standard to avoid misleading the audience. It is well-suited for precise and nuanced communication in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost acceptable

Uses "almost" instead of "nearly", conveying a slightly more direct sense of approximation.

borderline acceptable

Indicates that the acceptability is at the limit or boundary of what is considered acceptable.

practically acceptable

Emphasizes the practical aspects of acceptability, suggesting it meets real-world requirements.

virtually acceptable

Highlights that it is acceptable in effect or essence, if not entirely in every detail.

reasonably acceptable

Suggests a rational or logical basis for finding it acceptable, based on given conditions.

barely acceptable

Stresses the narrow margin by which it meets the criteria for being acceptable.

just about acceptable

Implies a minimal level of acceptability, suggesting a less enthusiastic endorsement.

passably acceptable

Focuses on the ability to pass or get by as being acceptable, with a hint of mediocrity.

adequately acceptable

Indicates that it meets the minimum requirements to be considered acceptable.

tolerably acceptable

Implies that while not ideal, it can be tolerated or endured as acceptable.

FAQs

What does "nearly acceptable" mean?

The phrase "nearly acceptable" means that something is close to being acceptable, but not quite there yet. It implies a state of approximation to an acceptable standard or condition.

What can I say instead of "nearly acceptable"?

You can use alternatives like "almost acceptable", "borderline acceptable", or "reasonably acceptable" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "nearly acceptable" or "almost acceptable"?

Both "nearly acceptable" and "almost acceptable" are valid, and their usage often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Nearly" may suggest a slightly more precise approximation than "almost".

Can "nearly acceptable" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "nearly acceptable" is suitable for formal writing, especially when precise language is required. It conveys a specific meaning without being overly colloquial or informal.