not very good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a moderate level of dissatisfaction or to indicate that something does not meet expectations. Example: "The movie was not very good; I expected much more from the reviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obviously not very good.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not very good".

The New Yorker

"Not very good.

The New York Times

That's not very good.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm not very good.

The New Yorker

She said: "Not very good.

Independent

"Yeah, it's not very good".

The New Yorker

Italy's not very good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You're not very good.

The Guardian - Sport

He's not very good.

The Guardian - Sport

Because it's not very good.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not very good" to express a moderate level of disapproval or dissatisfaction without being overly harsh. It's suitable for situations where something is below expectations but not entirely unacceptable.

Common error

While "not very good" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to convey your assessment, such as "suboptimal" or "deficient".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very good" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. According to Ludwig, it expresses a subjective assessment of something, indicating that it is below the expected or desired standard. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from evaluating performance to describing quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not very good" is a common and acceptable way to express a moderate level of dissatisfaction or to indicate that something does not meet expectations. According to Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is grammatically sound and used frequently in various news and media contexts. When writing, remember that while the phrase is versatile, it is better to opt for more descriptive language if you are writing in a formal context. For more nuanced expressions, alternatives such as "somewhat disappointing" or "fairly poor" can be used. Finally, the expression has an adjective phrase type.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat disappointing

Emphasizes the feeling of letdown or unmet expectations.

fairly poor

Indicates a lower quality or standard than expected.

not up to par

Suggests that something is below the required or usual standard.

less than satisfactory

A more formal way of saying something is not good enough.

subpar

A concise term indicating something is below average.

leaves much to be desired

Highlights the significant shortcomings of something.

far from ideal

Suggests that something is not in its optimal state.

not the greatest

An informal way of saying something is not very good.

rather bad

Indicates a significant level of negativity.

unsatisfactory

A general term for something that does not meet requirements or expectations.

FAQs

What does "not very good" mean?

The phrase "not very good" indicates that something is below average or not meeting expectations. It's a mild way of expressing disapproval or dissatisfaction.

What are some alternatives to "not very good"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat disappointing", "fairly poor", or "less than satisfactory" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "not very good" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not very good" may sound too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise and sophisticated language for professional or academic writing.

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

You can use "not very good" to describe anything that doesn't meet your expectations. For example, "The food at the restaurant was "not very good"" or "His performance in the game was "not very good"".