not too great

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not too great" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a moderate level of dissatisfaction or to indicate that something is below expectations. Example: "The movie was entertaining, but the plot was not too great."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Use

News & Media

Academic Writing

Conversational English

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are the same level of production [GDP] as in 2008 - it's not too great, but it's better than Great Britain.

The Guardian - Business

"It's not too great around here.

The Guardian

"There's some risk, but it's not too great," he said.

The New York Times

The distance between losing territory and being a loser is not too great.

The New York Times

That they should prevail again on Sunday, then, was not too great of a shock.

The Guardian - Sport

Public humiliation, she indicated, is not too great a price for fame.

The New York Times

"But I think the likelihood that a wall can ease hostilities is not too great".

The New York Times

OK, that's not too great an example, because what happens if I do the circular cyclic convolution?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bravery's new face Thinking with your heart New frontiers That eureka feeling Reprints Related items Tony Blair: Not too great.

The Economist

It is not too great a stretch to say that, in the Jacquard loom, programming was invented before the computer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At a rehearsal, the music should be great but not too great: You want to save something for the concert.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "not too great" with specific details to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of saying "The service was not too great", specify "The service was not too great because the waiter was inattentive."

Common error

Avoid using "not too great" in formal or academic writing where more precise and professional language is preferred. Opt for terms like "suboptimal", "deficient", or "inadequate" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too great" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to express a moderate level of negativity or to indicate that something is below the expected standard. This aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

26%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not too great" is a common and grammatically correct way to express mild dissatisfaction or indicate that something is below expectations, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its usage is widespread, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific contexts, it's generally considered neutral to informal. For more formal settings, alternatives like "suboptimal" or "inadequate" may be more appropriate. Key to its effective use is understanding its subtle nuance and avoiding overuse in contexts demanding precision and professionalism. The large number of examples found by Ludwig underscores its prevalent use in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not particularly good

A more direct and simple way of expressing that something isn't of high quality.

Less than impressive

Focuses on the lack of a positive impact or noteworthy quality.

Rather poor

Emphasizes a stronger sense of inadequacy or deficiency.

A bit underwhelming

Focuses on the experience of something failing to meet expectations.

Somewhat disappointing

Emphasizes the feeling of disappointment, rather than merely indicating something isn't very good.

Not exactly stellar

Highlights the absence of outstanding or exceptional qualities.

Not up to par

Implies that something doesn't meet the required or expected level of quality.

Subpar

A concise term indicating performance or quality below the expected standard.

Fairly inadequate

Directly addresses the insufficiency or unsuitability of something.

Mediocre

Highlights the average or unremarkable nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "not too great" in a sentence?

You can use "not too great" to express mild dissatisfaction. For example, "The movie was entertaining, but the plot was "not too great"."

What are some alternatives to "not too great"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat disappointing", "less than impressive", or "not particularly good" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "not too great" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not too great" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more precise terms like "suboptimal", "deficient", or "inadequate".

What's the difference between "not too great" and "terrible"?

"Not too great" indicates a mild level of dissatisfaction, while "terrible" suggests something is extremely bad. "Not too great" is a more moderate expression than "terrible".