otherwise acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

"otherwise acceptable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is acceptable under certain conditions or circumstances. For example, "The proposal is flawed, but otherwise acceptable." Alternative expressions include "acceptable in other respects" and "satisfactory in other ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Some otherwise acceptable dishes were marred by a careless kitchen.

The New York Times

An otherwise acceptable plate of mozzarella and roasted red pepper was marred by out-of-season tomatoes.

The New York Times

An otherwise acceptable boiled potato becomes suspect if it comes to the table cloaked in melted butter and flecks of lettuce, more commonly known as parsley.

The New York Times

Sometimes these performances were complete takes; often they were small sections, to be used as patches when an otherwise acceptable complete performance was marred by a wrong note or by what he called "notes that didn't speak".

The New York Times - Arts

I think this further devalues them; an otherwise acceptable message ("Brunch at Hi-Spot at 1!") becomes impersonal and meaningless when it's sent to so many.

TechCrunch

In this study, the addition of forestripping to an otherwise acceptable premilking udder preparation routine did not increase milking performance of multiparous Holstein dairy cows.

Journal of Dairy Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"And he might be able to provide suggestions for solutions that might not otherwise be acceptable if they came from the downstairs neighbor".

The New York Times

"If this is implemented as the PJA believes is the intention, jockeys will no longer be punished for genuine, wholly unintended mistakes nor for otherwise perfectly acceptable rides".

The Guardian - Sport

Exposed waistbands often reveal oversize logos and patterns that would not otherwise be acceptable in any other kind of garment — which is to say nothing of the entire genre of action-hero-inspired underwear.

The New York Times

Or that even now the school is framing this as an unfortunate overstepping of an otherwise perfectly acceptable technological mark?

TechCrunch

This paper discusses the role of compensation engineering as a means to allow higher concentrations of dopants in silicon than would otherwise be acceptable for solar cell fabrication.

Energy Procedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "otherwise acceptable", clearly specify the condition or exception that makes it acceptable. For instance, "The plan is risky, but otherwise acceptable" clarifies the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "otherwise acceptable" without defining the "otherwise". Always provide the context or condition that enables its acceptability. For example, avoid: "The item is otherwise acceptable." Instead, specify: "The item is damaged, but otherwise acceptable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "otherwise acceptable" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective, indicating that something meets the criteria for acceptance under specific conditions. It highlights a conditional approval, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "otherwise acceptable" is a useful tool for expressing conditional approval or acceptance. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and finds usage in various domains, including news, science, and business. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to specify the conditions or exceptions that influence its acceptability. Related phrases like "acceptable in other respects" or "satisfactory in other ways", offer similar but slightly different nuances. Being clear about the "otherwise" aspect and contextualizing the phrase effectively will enhance your writing, making the meaning precise and reducing ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acceptable under other circumstances

Rephrases the conditionality of acceptability.

acceptable in other respects

Focuses on acceptability regarding specific aspects.

satisfactory in other ways

Emphasizes satisfaction from different perspectives.

valid except for

Highlights the validation except in some cases.

ordinarily permissible

Indicates that something is allowed in general situations.

generally allowable

Similar to permissible but emphasizes the general condition.

usually adequate

Highlights adequacy under normal conditions.

conditionally approved

Focuses on approval depending on certain conditions.

acceptable with exceptions

Explicitly mentions exceptions to acceptability.

suitable in most cases

Emphasizes suitability in the majority of instances.

FAQs

How can I use "otherwise acceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "otherwise acceptable" to indicate that something is acceptable except for a specific condition or flaw. For example: "The candidate's experience is limited, but their skills are "otherwise acceptable"".

What's a good alternative to "otherwise acceptable"?

Alternatives include "acceptable in other respects", "satisfactory in other ways", or "acceptable under other circumstances", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "generally otherwise acceptable"?

While not strictly redundant, "generally otherwise acceptable" can be wordy. Consider if "generally acceptable" or "otherwise acceptable" alone conveys your intended meaning more clearly.

What does "otherwise acceptable" imply about the subject?

It implies that the subject has a flaw or condition that might make it unacceptable, but in all other aspects, it meets the required standards. It suggests a need for careful consideration of that specific flaw.