palatable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "palatable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is acceptable or agreeable to someone, often in the context of ideas, opinions, or tastes. Example: "The proposal was designed to be palatable to all stakeholders involved in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This policy should be palatable to Democrats.

The New York Times

Not everything he ordered was palatable to the sisters.

The New Yorker

None of this is palatable to Mr Obama.

The Economist

(The former should be more palatable to the average male).

The New York Times

The next customer may be more palatable to you.

The New York Times

He generally named moderates who would be palatable to Republicans.

The New York Times

It would be palatable to most of the current refuseniks.

The Guardian - Opinion

How do you make it palatable to black Britons?

The Guardian - Books

One, palatable to shell-shocked Democrats, is that national trends often don't determine local elections.

The New Yorker

But it may finally be getting less palatable to many Arkansas voters.

The New York Times

He's just not capable of making the kind of deal that becomes palatable to the 49ers".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for broad acceptance, use "palatable to" to indicate that an idea or proposal is designed to be agreeable and avoid causing offense or resistance.

Common error

While "palatable to" is versatile, avoid overuse in overly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "acceptable", "suitable", or "appropriate" might convey a more nuanced meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "palatable to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is agreeable or acceptable to a specific person or group. Ludwig indicates that this is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "palatable to" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe something that is agreeable or acceptable to someone, according to Ludwig. Predominantly found in News & Media, it conveys that an idea, proposal, or even a person is likely to be well-received. While versatile, be mindful of overuse in overly formal contexts where more precise terms might be preferable. To ensure clarity and avoid common errors, consider the context and choose synonyms like ""acceptable to"" or ""agreeable to"" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acceptable to

Focuses on the idea of being satisfactory or allowable, rather than appealing or agreeable.

agreeable to

Emphasizes the pleasant or harmonious nature of something, suggesting ease of acceptance.

suitable for

Highlights appropriateness for a specific purpose or situation, shifting the focus from personal taste.

amenable to

Implies a willingness to accept or be influenced by something, suggesting a cooperative attitude.

receptive to

Indicates an openness to new ideas or suggestions, focusing on the willingness to consider something.

well-received by

Highlights the positive reaction of a group or individual to something.

easy to accept for

Simplifies the concept to basic acceptance, potentially lacking nuance.

to someone's liking

Focuses on personal preference and enjoyment.

not objectionable to

Indicates a lack of opposition rather than active approval, implying a passive acceptance.

within the bounds of acceptability for

Emphasizes that something falls within acceptable limits or standards.

FAQs

How can I use "palatable to" in a sentence?

Use "palatable to" when you want to express that something is agreeable or acceptable to a specific person or group. For instance, "The revised budget was made "acceptable to" all members of the committee".

What are some alternatives to "palatable to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "acceptable to", "agreeable to", "suitable for", or "amenable to".

What does it mean for something to be "palatable to" someone?

If something is "palatable to" someone, it means that it is agreeable or pleasing to them. It suggests that they find it easy to accept or approve of it.

Is "palatable to" more about taste or general acceptance?

While "palatable" originally relates to taste, "palatable to" is more often used to describe general acceptance of ideas, plans, or proposals. It suggests something is "easy to accept" or approve, not necessarily that it tastes good.