not really bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not really bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild positive sentiment or to indicate that something is better than expected, but not necessarily good. Example: "The movie was not really bad; I actually enjoyed some parts of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

First the faint praise: it's not really bad but weighing in at almost 500 pages 'not really bad' turns into 'why-am-I-still-reading-this?' fairly quickly.

The Guardian - Books

I'm allowed milder swear words in my books but not really bad ones.

The Guardian

It was not really bad conducting, but it was nothing close to real style".

The Guardian - Music

They're not really bad people, just having and giving a high time.

The New York Times

This is what one Labour figure said: Don't let anyone tell you it is not really bad.

The Guardian

So with both the playoffs and Luck looking very doubtful, the Bills are back to being a team that's bad, but not really bad enough.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Dogs are a product of their upbringing, just like children; there aren't really bad dogs, just bad owners.

Independent

I wasn't really bad but too much yakking was my problem.

The Guardian

"Things are not good but they aren't really bad yet either," said James Tarbox, director of career services at San Diego State University.

The New York Times

The merry band of troublemakers "were kicked off pirate ships because they weren't really bad guys," he said.

The New York Times

BUDDHISM: If bad things happen, it isn't really bad.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When something exceeds low expectations, use "not really bad" to express surprise. For example, "I thought this movie would be terrible, but it's not really bad!"

Common error

Avoid using "not really bad" in professional or academic writing where a more precise and descriptive assessment is expected. For example, instead of saying, "The analysis was not really bad", opt for "The analysis was adequate, but lacked depth."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not really bad" functions as a qualifier, softening the impact of a negative adjective. It essentially communicates that something is better than expected or not as negative as it could be. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to temper criticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

11%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not really bad" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a tempered assessment, indicating something is acceptable or better than expected, though not exceptional. As shown by Ludwig, it's used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to avoid harsh negativity and offer a balanced viewpoint. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's advisable to use more precise language in formal writing. Related phrases like ""not too bad"" and ""decent"" can provide similar nuances. Overall, "not really bad" is a versatile phrase suitable for general communication needing a moderate, non-critical perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely terrible

Focuses on the partial absence of terribleness.

not particularly awful

Uses "awful" to soften the negativity further.

not exceptionally poor

Replaces "bad" with "poor" and uses "exceptionally" for emphasis.

could be worse

Emphasizes that the situation is not the worst possible outcome.

less than ideal

Employs a more formal and understated expression.

not the best, but decent

Acknowledges imperfection while highlighting a positive aspect.

subpar but acceptable

Introduces the idea of acceptability despite being below par.

passable, but not great

Highlights the just-acceptable quality, contrasting it with excellence.

moderately adequate

Emphasizes a sense of just meeting the minimum requirements.

okay, I suppose

Introduces a tone of reluctant acceptance.

FAQs

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

You can use "not really bad" to express that something is acceptable or better than expected, but not particularly impressive. For example, "The food was "not really bad", but it wasn't amazing either."

What are some alternatives to saying "not really bad"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not too bad", "decent", "acceptable", or "passable". Each carries a slightly different nuance but conveys a similar sentiment.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "not really bad"?

The phrase "not really bad" is suitable for informal contexts where a nuanced but not overly critical assessment is needed. It's often used when something is surprisingly better than anticipated or when pointing out minor flaws without harsh judgment.

What's the difference between "not really bad" and "not so bad"?

"Not really bad" indicates a more positive assessment than expected, while "not so bad" often implies a resigned acceptance of a less-than-ideal situation. The former suggests mild surprise, whereas the latter acknowledges a problem with reduced negativity.