ok

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ok" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in informal writing to provide an affirmative, positive reply or acknowledgement. For example: Q: Did you finish your essay? A: Yes, ok.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that's New York".

The New York Times

As a classic self-delusional narcissist, I reckoned third place would be OK.

The Guardian - Books

Is it OK for an imported culture to dominate indigenous culture?

The Guardian

"Apart from a few mental errors I'm playing OK," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Obviously I had to tell them that whatever they told me I'd have to mention to another member of staff, but they were OK with that.

The Guardian

They are still chatting after I have gone to bed and am lying awake worrying about whether Sam (whose mobile is not working again) is OK.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Here, a note of caution for parents: the baby-listener we brought didn't reach through any of the hotel's giant stone walls, so you have to be comfortable with just going up to check on them… or not checking on them and just vaguely hoping they're OK, which, after about an hour, I decided was by far the best course.

The Guardian - Travel

OK, so that suggests Obama won't accept a deal that fails to raise taxes on upper income – $250,000 and above – earners.

The Guardian

As she was carried into the ambulance she gave me a little wave to calm my distress as if to say: "Don't worry I'll be OK".

The Guardian

"Given the ban on monetary financing of states, I don't think it's OK that banks which don't have access to the markets are being granted loans which then finance the bonds of their government, which doesn't have access to the markets itself," he said, in an interview with German newspaper Handelsblatt.

The Guardian - Business

Here's how I imagine that I'd imagine the discussion would have gone: Hey kid, you can't be late, so I have to have this 'meeting' with you, but you and I both know that if it wasn't for your bat I'd be sipping margaritas by my pool in Indiana right now, so just be patient here and go through these motions with me, OK? Oh, and don't worry about that fine, I got it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ok" in informal communication to signify agreement, acceptance, or acknowledgment. Be mindful of the context and audience, as it might not be suitable for formal settings.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "ok" in professional documents or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "agreed", "accepted", or "approved" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "ok" functions primarily as an interjection to express agreement or acceptance. It can also act as an adjective, meaning satisfactory, or an adverb, indicating adequacy. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its versatile usage across different parts of speech.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ok" is a versatile expression used as an interjection, adjective, and adverb to convey agreement, acceptance, or satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While incredibly common, it's more suited for informal settings, with formal contexts benefiting from alternatives like "agreed" or "satisfactory". Its high frequency in news and media demonstrates its prevalence in everyday communication. Remember to consider your audience and the formality of the situation when choosing whether to use "ok".

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

okay

A direct synonym of "ok", often used interchangeably in most contexts.

all right

Indicates agreement or acceptance, similar to "ok", but can also imply a slightly more formal tone.

sure

Expresses willingness or affirmation, similar to "ok" but with a slightly more enthusiastic tone.

fine

Can indicate acceptance or satisfaction, sometimes with a hint of resignation or slight reservation.

agreed

Implies a mutual agreement on a point, which is a more formal alternative to "ok".

very well

Indicates strong agreement or compliance, suggesting a higher level of acceptance.

More alternative expressions

okays

alright

encumbered

checks

accepts

yes

lads

liked

happened

documented

a ok

happy

disposed

welcomed

acknowledge

excellent

understood

agree

ready

agreements

FAQs

How can I use "ok" in a sentence?

You can use "ok" as an interjection to show agreement, as in "Ok, I'll do that." It can also be an adjective, meaning satisfactory, as in "The soup was ok." Additionally, it functions as an adverb, meaning adequately, as in "The team did ok in the playoffs."

What are some alternatives to using "ok"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "ok" include "all right", "okay", "agreed", "fine", or "satisfactory". Choose the word that best fits the formality and tone of your communication.

When is it appropriate to use "ok" versus "okay"?

"Ok" and "okay" are generally interchangeable. "Ok" is slightly more informal and is often used in casual conversation or text messages, while "okay" might be perceived as slightly more formal, though the difference is minimal.

Is it ever incorrect to use "ok"?

While generally acceptable, using "ok" might be inappropriate in very formal or professional contexts where a more polished or detailed response is expected. In such cases, opt for alternatives that convey a higher degree of formality or precision.