otherwise good

USAGE SUMMARY

"otherwise good" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to summarize or describe something that has minor flaws, but is generally good or satisfactory. For example: "The movie was entertaining but the ending was confusing; otherwise it was good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm 73 and in otherwise good health.

Harvard University

Otherwise good citizens were "indifferent, or complacent".

The Guardian

The water, unfortunately, marred a few otherwise good photos.

Stanford University

It appears to be in otherwise good health.

The New Yorker

One is overfeeding an otherwise good quality diet.

The Guardian

It makes an otherwise good idea completely corny.

The Guardian - Arts

It's a throwaway boast on an otherwise good song.

The New Yorker

Jerry Goldsmith's otherwise good score becomes intrusive, demanding us to feel what we don't.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"O.K., so Clara stepped into that one, but she's otherwise good on toilets," Molotch said.

The New Yorker

Diseases might even be spread by things that are otherwise good for the environment.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Benefit: Removes a late payment from an otherwise good-looking credit report.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "otherwise good" to provide a balanced assessment, acknowledging flaws while highlighting overall quality. For example, "The presentation was "otherwise good", but the speaker could have made better use of visuals."

Common error

Avoid using "otherwise good" excessively. Vary your language to provide a more nuanced and engaging description. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "otherwise good" functions as an adjective phrase used to qualify a noun, indicating that the noun is generally positive, despite some flaws or shortcomings. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "otherwise good" is a useful and grammatically sound way to describe something that is generally positive but has some minor flaws. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that it is commonly used across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and science. While its register is generally neutral, avoiding overuse and varying language will make your writing more engaging and impactful. Remember that alternatives like "mostly positive" or "generally acceptable" can provide a nuanced approach based on the specific context and emphasis needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in general good

Highlights the overall positive nature of something.

for the most part good

Emphasizes the majority of something being good.

good on the whole

Emphasizes the overall goodness, similar to "otherwise good" but with a slightly different structure.

on balance positive

Highlights that after weighing pros and cons, the outcome is positive.

mostly positive

Focuses on the overall positive aspect, downplaying the flaws more than "otherwise good".

substantially positive

Focuses on the substantial positive aspects of something.

largely satisfactory

Emphasizes the satisfaction derived, suggesting a more formal tone than "otherwise good".

primarily beneficial

Highlights the beneficial aspect, potentially ignoring minor negative aspects that "otherwise good" acknowledges.

generally acceptable

Highlights the acceptability of something, indicating a slightly lower standard than "otherwise good".

mostly adequate

Suggests that something meets the minimum requirements, with a slightly weaker positive connotation than "otherwise good".

FAQs

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

Use "otherwise good" to describe something that is generally positive despite having some flaws. For example: "The restaurant's service was slow, but the food was "otherwise good"."

What are some alternatives to "otherwise good"?

You can use alternatives such as "mostly positive", "generally acceptable", or "good on the whole" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative shifts the emphasis slightly.

Is it grammatically correct to use "otherwise good"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The adverb "otherwise" modifies the adjective "good", indicating that something is good apart from a specific aspect or condition.

What's the difference between "otherwise good" and "generally good"?

"Otherwise good" implies there's a specific exception or flaw, whereas "generally good" simply means good in most aspects without necessarily highlighting a particular exception. For example: "The weather was generally good for the trip". Compare this to "The hike was difficult, but the views were "otherwise good"".