passable outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passable outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a result that is acceptable or satisfactory, though not exceptional. Example: "The project was challenging, but we managed to achieve a passable outcome that met the client's basic requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

On balance, the odds look fairly good for at least a passable outcome in April.

The Washington Post

These statistics may point to the possibility of a troop drawdown strategy for the United States — but while a strategically passable outcome still seems within reach, it is increasingly hard to believe that there are the makings of a major success for American foreign policy in Iraq.

The New York Times

4. WRAP-UP/HOMEWORK: Individually, students use ideas in the Times article, from class discussion, and from their research to write response papers reflecting on the final statement in the article: "[W]hile a strategically passable outcome still seems within reach, it is increasingly hard to believe that there are the makings of a major success for American foreign policy in Iraq".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In my mind, I have always thought a dissertation was the pinnacle of any undergraduate degree, where you finally get to research a topic of sincere personal interest to you, hopefully, with the additional outcome of proving to be of some passable academic merit in the process.

The Guardian

Previous studies of epistasis within a molecule have shown that interactions among mutations constrict the number of passable evolutionary trajectories through sequence space and make the outcomes of evolution contingent upon the prior occurrence of permissive mutations (Weinreich et al., 2006; Bridgham et al., 2009; Podgornaia and Laub, 2015).

eLife

Certainly passable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both were passable.

The New York Times - Travel

That figure is passable.

The Economist

Rice pudding was passable.

The New York Times

Greek salads are passable.

The New York Times - Travel

Taiwan, Israel, India and Britain all boast passable imitations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passable outcome" when you want to describe a result that is acceptable or satisfactory, but not outstanding or excellent. It's useful when setting realistic expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "passable outcome" when a more positive description is warranted. If the outcome is truly impressive or exceptional, use stronger language to reflect its value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passable outcome" functions as a noun phrase where "passable" modifies the noun "outcome". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase suggests a result that is adequate but not necessarily outstanding. This is supported by examples where it describes elections or strategies deemed 'passable'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passable outcome" denotes a result that is acceptable but not exceptional. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for describing situations where the outcome meets basic requirements without being outstanding. The phrase is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "acceptable result" or "satisfactory outcome" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using "passable outcome", ensure that it accurately reflects the situation and avoids overstating the result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acceptable result

Replaces "passable" with a more common synonym, focusing on the acceptability of the outcome.

satisfactory outcome

Substitutes "passable" with "satisfactory", indicating that the result meets expectations.

adequate result

Uses "adequate" instead of "passable", suggesting that the result is sufficient but not exceptional.

tolerable outcome

Replaces "passable" with "tolerable", indicating that the result is acceptable, although perhaps not ideal.

sufficient outcome

Similar to "adequate result", emphasizing that the outcome is enough to meet the requirements.

reasonable result

Suggests that the result is fair and sensible, a slightly more positive connotation than "passable outcome".

mediocre outcome

While "mediocre" has a slightly more negative connotation than "passable", it still describes a result that is not particularly impressive.

average result

Implies a standard or typical outcome, without excelling or failing significantly.

minimally acceptable result

Emphasizes the lower end of acceptability, indicating the outcome barely meets the minimum requirements.

barely satisfactory outcome

Highlights that the outcome is only just satisfactory, suggesting a narrow margin of acceptance.

FAQs

What does "passable outcome" mean?

A "passable outcome" is a result that is acceptable or satisfactory, though not exceptional. It indicates a level of achievement that meets basic requirements but does not necessarily excel.

What can I say instead of "passable outcome"?

You can use alternatives like "acceptable result", "satisfactory outcome", or "adequate result" depending on the context.

Is "passable outcome" a formal or informal expression?

"Passable outcome" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using "satisfactory outcome" or "acceptable result".

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

You might say, "Despite the challenges, we achieved a "passable outcome" that met the client's minimum requirements" or "The election result was a "passable outcome", preventing a complete political crisis."