not terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

"not terrible" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a moderate or neutral opinion about something that is better than bad but not necessarily good. Example: The movie was not terrible, but it didn't live up to my expectations. Alternative expressions include "fairly decent," "not bad," and "somewhat acceptable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were... not terrible.

The New York Times - Food

Still, not terrible.

The New York Times - Tech

But it's not terrible.

The New York Times

"Not terrible," she said.

The New Yorker

This is not terrible news.

The Guardian - Opinion

The condo was affordable and not terrible".

The New York Times

But he added: "It's not terrible.

The New York Times - Arts

I mean, my job's not terrible.

The New Yorker

Not great, but not terrible, either.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The results weren't terrible.

The New York Times

The game wasn't terrible.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not terrible" when you want to express a mild approval or acceptance, indicating that something is better than expected or adequate without being exceptional.

Common error

Avoid using "not terrible" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound passive or unenthusiastic. Vary your vocabulary to provide more precise and engaging descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not terrible" functions as an adjective phrase, typically used in a sentence to modify a noun or pronoun. It serves to provide a qualified assessment, indicating that something is better than bad, but not necessarily good. Ludwig AI confirms this function with numerous examples where it's used to temper negative expectations or express mild approval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not terrible" is a versatile adjective phrase used to express a moderate or somewhat positive assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates that something is better than expected or adequate without being exceptional. Its usage is prevalent in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While grammatically correct and widely understood, avoid overusing it to maintain engaging and precise writing. Consider alternative phrases like "not bad" or "quite acceptable" for variety and context-appropriate formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not bad

A common and direct synonym, suggesting something is acceptable or satisfactory.

quite acceptable

Indicates that something meets the minimum requirements or standards.

passable

Implies something is just good enough or barely satisfactory.

decent enough

Suggests something is moderately good or of reasonable quality.

not half bad

An informal way of saying something is surprisingly good.

somewhat adequate

Highlights that something is sufficient or meets a certain need, but not exceptionally.

fairly good

Indicates a level of quality that is above average but not excellent.

not the worst

Emphasizes that something is better than the worst possible outcome, implying a moderate level of satisfaction.

manageable

Focuses on the ease with which something can be handled or dealt with.

tolerable

Indicates that something is bearable or can be endured, often implying a lack of enjoyment.

FAQs

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

You can use "not terrible" to describe something that is better than bad but not great. For instance, "The food was "not terrible", but it wasn't amazing either".

What's a more formal way to say "not terrible"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "quite acceptable" or "somewhat adequate" to convey a similar meaning with slightly more sophistication.

Is it okay to use "not terrible" in professional writing?

While "not terrible" is generally understood, it might be perceived as too casual for certain professional settings. Assess your audience and the tone of your writing before using it.

What's the difference between "not terrible" and "not bad"?

"Not terrible" and "not bad" are often interchangeable, but "not terrible" can sometimes imply a slightly lower expectation or a more surprised positive reaction.