of average quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of average quality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that meets a standard level of quality but does not exceed it. Example: "The restaurant's food was decent, but overall, it was of average quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Suppose that the bottom 5 percent of teachers could be replaced by teachers of average quality.

The New York Times

Even stones of average quality are up by 20-25% this year, says one dealer.

The Economist

According to Hanushek, the U.S. could close that gap simply by replacing the bottom six per cent to ten per cent of public-school teachers with teachers of average quality.

The New Yorker

As a whole, the interior is rather plain and functional, well assembled from plastic materials of average quality -- though those who judge sports cars based on interior trim are probably not driving enough.

The New York Times

The authors reckon that swapping a teacher at the bottom of the value-added spectrum with one of average quality raises the collective lifetime income of each class they teach by $1.4m.

The Economist

If teachers in grades 4 to 8 are ranked according to ability, and the bottom 5% are replaced with teachers of average quality, a class's cumulative lifetime income is raised by $250,000.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In the base case, a 2-year wait-time both with and without a non-operative treatment bridge resulted in a lower number of average quality-adjusted life-years gained (11.57 QALY (no bridge) and 11.76 QALY (bridge) vs. 12.18 QALY (no delay).

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Cost scenario A = Direct costs only, Cost scenario B = Indirect costs included *Waiting with a non-operative bridge resulted in a lower number of average quality-adjusted life-years gained while also at a higher average cost to the payer and is, therefore, "DOMINATED" by the TKA without delay strategy for the treatment of end-stage knee osteoarthritis in the base case.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

No stars were given "because of the impossibility of averaging quality and price in this instance," John Canaday wrote.

The New York Times - Food

We used a cutoff of 25 for average quality scores within a moving window of 5 bp.

BMC Genomics

In a similar fashion, Mattoo et al. (2008) used the probability of placement of highly educated immigrants in skilled jobs in the U.S. labor market as a measure of the "average quality" of human capital of the source country.

IZA Journal of Migration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of average quality", consider the context. In some situations, a more specific term like "mediocre" or "standard" might be more appropriate to convey the precise level of quality.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "of average quality" when describing something. Provide specific details about why the quality is average to give your readers a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of average quality" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its quality level. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of average quality" is a useful descriptor indicating that something meets a standard level without being particularly exceptional. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and acceptable in written English. While it may not be the most vivid or precise language, understanding that more specific terms like "mediocre" or "standard" can sometimes provide a clearer picture is helpful. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. Remember to consider the context carefully and provide more detail when possible to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mediocre quality

Implies a slightly lower standard than average.

ordinary quality

Emphasizes the commonness and lack of distinction.

standard quality

Highlights adherence to a typical or expected level.

run-of-the-mill quality

Suggests something is commonplace and unexceptional.

passable quality

Indicates the quality is just acceptable but not impressive.

decent quality

Implies an acceptable but unremarkable level of quality.

fair quality

Indicates the quality is adequate but not outstanding.

so-so quality

An informal way to describe something as being neither good nor bad.

middling quality

Suggests a position in the middle, without excelling or failing.

acceptable quality

Emphasizes that the quality meets the minimum requirements or expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "of average quality" in a sentence?

You can use "of average quality" to describe something that is neither particularly good nor particularly bad. For example, "The hotel was clean, but the service was "of average quality"."

What's the difference between "of average quality" and "mediocre quality"?

"Of average quality" suggests something meets a standard level without excelling. "Mediocre quality" implies a lower standard than average, suggesting it's somewhat deficient.

What are some alternatives to saying "of average quality"?

You can use alternatives such as "standard quality", "ordinary quality", or "run-of-the-mill quality" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "of average quality"?

Not necessarily. While it's not a compliment, ""of average quality"" can be a neutral observation. It simply indicates that something meets the minimum expectations without being exceptional. For example, a product being ""of average quality"" might be acceptable if it's also reasonably priced.