not bad

USAGE SUMMARY

"not bad" is a perfectly fine and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to mean that something is acceptable, or slightly above average. For example: "I just got my report card back, and my grades are not bad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Not bad, not bad.

Princeton University

Not bad.

Cornell University

not bad.

The Washington Post

(Not bad, not great).

The New York Times

Not bad at all.

Cornell University

"Not great, not bad".

The New York Times

Notting Hill: not bad.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It ain't bad".

The New Yorker

It wasn't bad.

Forbes

That isn't bad.

The Economist

It isn't bad.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not bad" in formal writing, consider whether a more precise or enthusiastic adjective would be more appropriate to convey the intended meaning. Context matters!

Common error

Avoid relying on "not bad" in formal settings like business reports or academic papers. It can sound too casual or vague. Opt for stronger, more descriptive adjectives like "satisfactory", "acceptable", or "commendable" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not bad" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, offering a mildly positive assessment of something. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates something is acceptable or slightly above average. Examples show its use in evaluating performance, quality, or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not bad" serves as a versatile expression of mild approval or satisfaction. It's grammatically sound and frequently used, although its formality leans towards neutral or informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's "perfectly fine and usable in written English", indicating acceptability. When you need stronger endorsements, consider options like "quite good" or "pretty good". For more formal writing, using words like "acceptable" or "satisfactory" might fit better. Overall, "not bad" is a handy phrase when you want to avoid overly enthusiastic approval and remain moderately positive. It's especially useful to temper criticism or express a sense of reserved optimism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not half bad

An emphatic way of saying "not bad", suggesting it's surprisingly good.

pretty good

Similar in meaning, but slightly more informal.

alright

A more casual and brief way of saying "not bad".

quite good

Emphasizes a slightly higher degree of approval than "not bad".

reasonably good

Emphasizes the quality is within reasonable expectations.

satisfactory

Indicates that something meets expectations.

decent enough

Highlights the adequacy or sufficiency of something.

acceptable

Focuses on meeting a minimum standard or requirement.

passable

Suggests something is just good enough, perhaps with flaws.

fair enough

Implies acceptance or agreement, rather than just assessment of quality.

FAQs

How can I use "not bad" in a sentence?

"Not bad" is generally used to express a mild approval or satisfaction. For example, "The movie wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either" or "Your presentation was not bad for your first time".

What's a more formal alternative to "not bad"?

In more formal settings, you can use alternatives like "acceptable", "satisfactory", or "reasonably good" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "not bad" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not bad" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. It functions as an adjective phrase expressing a positive, though not enthusiastic, assessment.

What does "not half bad" mean, and how does it differ from "not bad"?

"Not half bad" is an idiom that means "surprisingly good" or "quite good". It's a stronger expression of approval than just "not bad", implying that something exceeded expectations. It is an emphatic way of saying "quite good".