nearly satisfactory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly satisfactory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is close to being acceptable or meeting expectations, but not quite there. Example: "The results of the experiment were nearly satisfactory, but further adjustments are needed to achieve the desired outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It doesn't end the discontent" with the health care system, said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y .. "I knew when I voteD-N.Y .his bill, it was a first step -- not nearly satisfactory in many ways -- but a first step, and a major first step," much like the beginnings of Social Security.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now, doubt that blue, or even blu, will be nearly as satisfactory from the standpoint of protective coloring, as brown.

The New Yorker

Now, 10 years later, Mr. Wallechinsky, working alone this time, has produced a follow-up entitled "Midterm Report". But the results aren't nearly as satisfactory.

The New York Times - Books

But by the 1930s, after research by Dr. Wunibald Kamm in Germany, it was widely understood that slicing off the back of the vehicle produced an aerodynamic result that was nearly as satisfactory and eminently more practical.

The New York Times

(Which ones? How many?) While the choices at General Greene are nearly all satisfactory, some are outstanding, and the challenge is that the same dish, from night to night, can switch categories.

The New Yorker

A new generation of teacher evaluation systems has emerged since we published our 2009 report "The Widget Effect," which documented how the old systems labeled nearly all teachers "satisfactory" and encouraged school districts to treat them like interchangeable parts.

The New York Times

Similarly, when the attitude was sufficient, 25% had insufficient practice and nearly 41% had satisfactory practice.

BMJ Open

From the standpoint of feasibility, the response rate is highly satisfactory (nearly all patients answered all questions) and the time required to administer it was brief (under eight minutes on average), which makes it highly feasible for use at any level of health care, particularly at the primary level, where the time available for care is usually short.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Yet a hysterical clamor has risen against the Ninth Circuit decision and in favor of returning the pledge to the original text -- a text that Americans found quite satisfactory for nearly two-thirds of a century.

The New York Times

Kamras said fortified principal recruitment and training programs will prevent what happens in most districts, where principals spend little time in classrooms and give nearly every teacher a satisfactory rating to keep the peace.

The Washington Post

Across the country, education reformers and their allies in both parties have revamped the way teachers are graded, abandoning methods under which nearly everyone was deemed satisfactory, even when students were falling behind.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly satisfactory", clarify what specific aspects fall short of full satisfaction to provide constructive feedback or a more nuanced understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly satisfactory" when the situation is clearly unsatisfactory. This can mislead the audience and undermine the credibility of your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly satisfactory" functions as a compound adjective to describe a noun, indicating that the subject is close to meeting the criteria of being satisfactory, but not fully. Ludwig's examples show this in contexts ranging from teacher evaluations to the results of experiments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly satisfactory" is a useful phrase for describing something that almost meets expectations, but requires further refinement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and shows its use across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific studies. While alternatives like "almost satisfactory" exist, "nearly satisfactory" offers a specific nuance of qualification. Understanding its usage helps writers provide accurate and constructive assessments, particularly when evaluating performance or outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost satisfactory

Emphasizes the closeness to being satisfactory, with 'almost' highlighting the slight shortfall.

not quite satisfactory

Emphasizes the lack of full satisfaction, useful for pointing out deficiencies.

close to satisfactory

Directly indicates the proximity to meeting the satisfactory criteria.

practically satisfactory

Suggests that in practical terms, the level of satisfaction is close enough to acceptable.

virtually satisfactory

Implies the state is so close to satisfactory that it can be considered as such for most purposes.

nearing satisfactory

Similar to 'approaching', but suggests a more advanced stage of getting closer to the satisfactory level.

approaching satisfactory

Focuses on the trend towards becoming satisfactory, rather than the current state.

sufficiently close

Indicates that the result or state is adequately near the satisfactory level.

just about satisfactory

Highlights a marginal level of satisfaction, barely meeting the required threshold.

marginally satisfactory

Suggests the satisfaction is at the lowest acceptable level.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly satisfactory" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly satisfactory" to describe something that almost meets expectations, but not quite. For example, "The experiment's results were "nearly satisfactory", requiring further adjustments to achieve the desired outcome."

What are some alternatives to "nearly satisfactory"?

Alternatives include phrases like "almost satisfactory", "close to satisfactory", or "not quite satisfactory". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "nearly satisfactory" and "almost satisfactory" are correct. The choice depends on personal preference, as they carry very similar meanings.

When should I use "nearly satisfactory" versus "sufficient"?

"Nearly satisfactory" implies falling slightly short of the required level, while "sufficient" suggests meeting the minimum requirements. Use "nearly satisfactory" when you want to highlight the slight deficiency.