not good enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"not good enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is not good enough to meet an expected standard or to express dissatisfaction. For example, "I'm sorry, that report isn't good enough, I need you to re-do it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Simply not good enough".

The New York Times

But not good enough.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not good enough".

The New York Times - Sports

That's not good enough.

The New York Times

"It's just not good enough.

The New York Times

But that's not good enough.

The New York Times - Food

That is not good enough.

The New York Times

But it's not good enough".

The New York Times

That's simply not good enough.

Independent

We are not good enough.

The Guardian - Sport

It was not good enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not good enough" when expressing a subjective judgment about quality or suitability. It's appropriate in both formal and informal settings, but consider more formal alternatives like "inadequate" or "insufficient" for highly professional or academic writing.

Common error

While versatile, "not good enough" can sound too casual in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for stronger, more precise language, such as "inadequate", "deficient", or "substandard" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not good enough" functions as an adjective phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a judgment about its quality or suitability. It is frequently used to indicate that something fails to meet a required or expected standard as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not good enough" is a versatile adjective phrase used to express that something fails to meet expectations or standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and it's widely used across various contexts. While generally appropriate, more formal alternatives like "inadequate" or "insufficient" might be preferable in highly professional or academic settings. Its frequency in News & Media and Science indicates its common usage. When aiming for clarity and impact, "not good enough" effectively conveys dissatisfaction and the need for improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below expectations

Directly states that performance or quality didn't meet what was anticipated.

not up to scratch

British English idiom meaning "not good enough".

not up to par

An idiom expressing that something isn't as good as it should be.

falling short

Suggests a failure to reach a desired goal or standard.

inadequate

A single word that conveys the meaning of failing to meet expectations.

insufficient

Similar to "inadequate", but often used in more formal contexts.

subpar

Implies performance is below the usual standard.

unacceptable

Indicates that something does not meet the required standards and cannot be accepted.

lacking

Indicates a deficiency in a particular quality or aspect.

deficient

A formal synonym for "lacking".

FAQs

How can I use "not good enough" in a sentence?

You can use "not good enough" to express that something fails to meet a certain standard or expectation. For example, "The quality of the work was "not good enough" to pass the inspection."

What are some alternatives to saying "not good enough"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "inadequate", "insufficient", "subpar", or "unacceptable" to express a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "not good enough" in writing?

"Not good enough" is suitable for general use in both speaking and writing. However, in formal or academic writing, consider using more sophisticated vocabulary like "deficient" or "lacking" to convey a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "not good enough" and "insufficient"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of quality or quantity, "not good enough" is generally more informal and subjective. "Insufficient" is more formal and implies a measurable deficiency. You might say a performance was ""not good enough"" based on your opinion, but resources were ""insufficient"" based on a concrete calculation.