not ideal

USAGE SUMMARY

"not ideal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a situation is not optimal or desirable, as in "This project's timeline is not ideal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That was not ideal".

The New York Times

"It's not ideal.

The New York Times

Which is not ideal.

The New York Times

Not ideal, but sufficient.

The New Yorker

But it's not ideal".

The New York Times

"It is not ideal".

The New York Times

"Not ideal," Mullick remarked.

The New Yorker

Not ideal, really.

The Guardian - Sport

No, it's not ideal.

The New York Times - Food

Maybe it's not ideal.

Yale University

The apartment was not ideal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not ideal" to politely point out flaws or areas for improvement without being overly critical. It's a useful phrase for suggesting a better course of action.

Common error

While "not ideal" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very formal writing. Opt for more precise language that clearly identifies the specific issue, like "suboptimal" or "less than satisfactory", for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not ideal" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or situation to indicate that it is less than perfect or optimal. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples where the phrase is used to express a deficiency or drawback without being overly critical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sport

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Food

1%

TV & Radio

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not ideal" serves as a versatile adjective phrase for expressing that a situation is less than perfect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While "not ideal" is acceptable across various registers, more formal synonyms like "suboptimal" might be preferable in highly professional settings. When communicating shortcomings, remember to use "not ideal" to offer a balanced and constructive perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not optimal

A direct synonym, conveying a similar sense of something being less than the best possible.

less than perfect

This alternative directly states that something does not reach a state of perfection.

not the best

A simple and straightforward way to express that something is not the most favorable option.

suboptimal

This term is a more formal synonym, indicating that something is below the optimal level or standard.

less desirable

Similar to "undesirable", but with a slightly softer tone, indicating a preference against the situation.

undesirable

This alternative highlights that the situation is unwanted or unwelcome.

not satisfactory

This indicates that something fails to meet the required or expected level of satisfaction.

far from perfect

This phrase emphasizes the distance from a perfect state, highlighting significant flaws.

problematic

This suggests that the situation presents difficulties or challenges.

inconvenient

This alternative focuses on the troublesome or awkward nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "not ideal" to describe a situation that is less than perfect but still manageable. For example, "The weather for the picnic is "not ideal", but we can still have fun."

What are some alternatives to saying "not ideal"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "less than perfect", "suboptimal", or "not optimal". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not ideal"?

Yes, "not ideal" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It functions as an adjective phrase.

What's the difference between "not ideal" and "unacceptable"?

"Not ideal" suggests that a situation has drawbacks but can still be tolerated. "Unacceptable", on the other hand, indicates that something is completely unsuitable and cannot be accepted or allowed. Therefore, "unacceptable" indicates a more serious problem compared to "not ideal".