not very great

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very great" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild dissatisfaction or to indicate that something is below expectations. Example: "The movie was not very great; I expected more from the director."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Your beauty... frankly is not very great.

The New York Times - Books

The difference is not very great.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was having this not very great affair.

The Guardian

Pay in child care tends to be low, so the offsetting factor is not very great.

The Economist

"The costs of delaying until some of those factors are sorted out is not very great.

The New York Times

However, when Mr. Babbar was asked by reporters about the demolition company, he said its record was "not very great".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Table 6 shows that proposed hybrid NSGA-II performed better than decomposition methods in all test problem, but the number of Pareto solutions (NPS) is not very greater than decomposition methods.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

GARCH-based Value-at-Risk estimates are generally a bit higher than O.L.S.-based estimates, but the difference isn't very great.

The New Yorker

"There have been tests on the effect of low frequency noise on people, and I've also done some looking at the effect on task performance and productivity, but the effects aren't very great".

Vice

Dr. Cohn, who has read most of this, pronounced it absorbing ("not very heavy, a great story; it reads like a fairy tale") and an interesting reflection of a picturesque personality.

The New Yorker

"Though he was not very big, he had great explosion at the point of contact, as great as anybody I ever saw play".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not very great" to express a mild level of dissatisfaction or to suggest something is below average, avoiding stronger negative terms when a softer approach is desired.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "not very great", especially when more precise or evocative language would better convey the intended meaning. Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very great" functions as an adjective phrase, typically used to modify a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something is of a lesser quality or significance than expected or desired. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “not very great” is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase to express mild dissatisfaction or indicate something is below average. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is perfectly acceptable. While it appears in a variety of contexts, it is frequently found in news, media and scientific writing. To avoid sounding repetitive, consider using alternatives such as "somewhat disappointing" or "less than ideal".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly good

Emphasizes a lack of quality, similar to "not very great" but with a focus on goodness.

somewhat disappointing

Highlights the failure to meet expectations, adding a layer of dissatisfaction.

less than ideal

Indicates a situation that falls short of the perfect or desired outcome.

not up to par

Suggests performance or quality below a standard level.

not especially remarkable

Implies a lack of distinction or noteworthy qualities.

rather underwhelming

Emphasizes a lack of excitement or impressiveness.

not all that impressive

Directly points out the absence of impressiveness.

fairly mediocre

Describes something as being of average or ordinary quality.

not terribly significant

Indicates a lack of importance or consequence.

somewhat inadequate

Highlights a deficiency or insufficiency in meeting requirements.

FAQs

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

You can use "not very great" to describe something that is below average or somewhat disappointing. For example, "The movie was "not very great"; I expected more."

What can I say instead of "not very great"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to say "not very great"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a mild level of dissatisfaction or inadequacy.

What's the difference between "not very great" and "not so great"?

While both phrases are similar, "not very great" implies a slightly milder degree of dissatisfaction than "not so great", which can sometimes carry a stronger negative connotation.