not quite good

USAGE SUMMARY

'not quite good' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something as subpar or mediocre. For example, "The food was not quite good; definitely not what I was expecting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not quite good enough.

Yale University

That's not quite good enough.

The New Yorker

"Not quite good enough," I replied.

The New Yorker

That's not quite good enough, is it?

The Guardian - Business

This is not quite good enough.

The Guardian - Books

Good, but not quite good enough.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are not quite good enough yet," another said.

The New Yorker

For exoplanet hunting that is not quite good enough.

The Economist

"Whatever is done is not quite good enough," he says.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a pan-Atlantic context, it's embarrassingly not-quite-good-enough.

The Guardian

And a fast chance to stuff all those decades of not-quite-good-enough back down the history hole.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not quite good", consider adding a specific reason why something isn't up to standard to provide constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on phrases like "not quite good" without offering specific details. Instead of just saying "The presentation was not quite good", explain what aspects could be improved, such as "The presentation was not quite good; the data visualization could be clearer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not quite good" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something possesses some positive qualities but ultimately fails to meet the desired standard. Ludwig provides several examples where it's used to express mild disappointment or the need for improvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sport

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not quite good" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate that something is almost satisfactory but still needs improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it serves as a useful tool for delivering constructive criticism, it's important to provide specific details to avoid vagueness and maximize its impact. Related phrases like "subpar" or "could be better" can offer alternative ways to express a similar sentiment, depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be better

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way of saying it's not good enough.

subpar

This alternative is a single word which suggests a lower quality than expected.

not up to par

This alternative uses a golf metaphor to indicate something fails to meet the standard.

inadequate

This alternative suggests a deficiency or lack of something required.

deficient

This alternative refers to something lacking an essential quality or element.

falling short

This alternative implies not achieving a goal or standard.

less than ideal

This alternative suggests the situation could be better.

not cutting it

This alternative uses an informal, colloquial expression for not being good enough.

not satisfactory

This alternative uses formal language to describe something unacceptable.

leaves something to be desired

This alternative is an idiom that indicates something isn't perfect.

FAQs

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

You can use "not quite good" to express that something is almost satisfactory but still needs improvement. For example, "The first draft was good, but "not quite good" enough to submit".

What's a less formal alternative to "not quite good"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could be better" or "not cutting it", which are more conversational.

How does "not quite good" differ from "bad"?

"Not quite good" suggests something is close to meeting expectations but ultimately falls short, whereas "bad" implies a more significant deficiency. The phrase "not quite good" suggests potential for improvement.

What are some professional synonyms for "not quite good"?

In professional settings, consider using terms like "subpar", "inadequate", or "not up to par" to maintain a formal tone.