passable enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passable enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is satisfactory or acceptable, though not exceptional. Example: "The food at the restaurant was passable enough for a quick lunch, but I wouldn't recommend it for a special occasion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The results are passable enough, leftfield indie.

The Guardian - Music

The cast of "A Late Quartet" clearly trained hard with coaches, and the result is passable enough.

The New York Times - Arts

We never felt as if we were scraping around for books that were passable enough to slap a prize onto.

The New Yorker

Remarkably, the streets remained passable enough that New York City Transit buses kept running all day -- albeit with many delays and detours.

The New York Times

Although roads were unpaved and bumpy, they were passable enough for villagers to ride motorcycles into dense capital cities, carrying the virus on board.

The New York Times - Health

Back in 2011 he was an imposing physical presence on Game of Thrones, where his acting was passable enough to carry the role of a grunting barbarian, but that hasn't exactly led to much fame or meaningful work for the 38-year-old Honolulu-born actor in the years since.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Florida Department of Transportation hurriedly worked to make the bridge passable long enough to rescue the stranded individuals.

Wikipedia

There were, of course, legends about the time that his crew came upon a rotting carcass of a horse which, however, had enough passable meat left to furnish the party … but that is a story perhaps better left undetailed ….

University of California, Berkeley

And, despite her protestations, Austen probably spoke passable French and knew enough Italian to translate opera, as she has Anne Elliot do in Persuasion.

Stanford University

My Couchsurfing host in Chongqing spoke quite passable English, but not enough to answer my constant questions about foods and temples and pollution and culture.

The New York Times

Pure talk was never that important to us anyway, even at the beginning, when we were mostly joking and flirting, for though her English was more than passable it was rudimentary enough for us to stay clear of nuanced discussions, which suited me fine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "passable enough" with specific details to clarify what makes something just acceptable. For instance, "The acting was passable enough, but the plot needed work."

Common error

Avoid using "passable enough" when you want to express genuine enthusiasm or high praise. The phrase implies a basic level of acceptability, so it is not suitable for something truly exceptional. Consider using "excellent", "outstanding", or "remarkable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passable enough" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something meets a minimum standard of acceptance or adequacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. Examples show it describing acting, roads and even books.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passable enough" is a phrase used to describe something that meets a basic level of acceptance or adequacy, without being exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It commonly appears in neutral contexts such as news and media and academic discussions. While the phrase is useful for conveying a minimal level of satisfaction, it's important to avoid using it when strong praise or enthusiasm is intended. More formal alternatives include "sufficiently adequate", while stronger expressions like "excellent" can be used when something truly exceeds expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently adequate

Emphasizes that something meets the minimum requirements.

adequately acceptable

Highlights the acceptance of something that is just adequate.

barely satisfactory

Suggests a minimal level of satisfaction.

minimally acceptable

Indicates the lowest level of acceptability.

good enough

A more common and slightly less formal alternative, conveying a similar sentiment.

serviceable enough

Focuses on the functionality and utility of something.

tolerable enough

Implies that something is bearable, though not necessarily enjoyable.

reasonably adequate

Emphasizes the reasonable aspect of adequacy.

just about acceptable

Highlights that the element is barely making the cut of being acceptable.

moderately satisfactory

Indicates a medium degree of satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "passable enough" in a sentence?

You can use "passable enough" to describe something that is adequate or acceptable but not outstanding. For example, "The food was "passable enough" for a quick lunch."

What's a more formal alternative to "passable enough"?

Formal alternatives include "sufficiently adequate" or "adequately acceptable". These phrases convey a similar meaning of basic acceptability in a more professional context.

What can I say instead of "passable enough" to express stronger approval?

Instead of "passable enough", you could use phrases like "excellent", "outstanding", or "remarkable" to express more enthusiasm.

Is "passable enough" always negative?

While "passable enough" isn't necessarily negative, it implies something meets the minimum requirements without being exceptional. It's suitable when you want to convey that something is just acceptable.