passable performance

USAGE SUMMARY

"passable performance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a level of performance that is acceptable but not exceptional. An example would be: "The team's passable performance was enough to secure a spot in the playoffs." Alternative expressions include "adequate performance" and "satisfactory performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As far as Land Rover is concerned, the eD4 isn't just "one for the road"; if any car is going to carry its famous badge, it has to provide at least passable performance over the rough stuff whether it has four-wheel drive or not.

Independent

The strings had their ear-catching moments later in the concert, particularly in the last two movements of the Brahms Fourth Symphony, where they played with the kind of passion that makes the difference between a passable performance and an exciting one.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Based on physicochemical properties, PseAAC based features take into account the knowledge of sequence order, achieving a passable prediction performance.

BioMed Research International

Better than passable is the performance of tonight's Carrie, Angela Bettis, who appeared in the most recent Broadway production of "The Crucible".

The New York Times - Arts

It took months of struggle by the system's designers -- after the first-generation Newton was released -- to achieve passable handwriting recognition performance.

The New York Times

Opinions vary amongst historians as to the military skill shown by John during this campaign, with most recent historians arguing that his performance was passable, although not impressive.

Wikipedia

The performances are passable; what holds the pieces together is the strength of Mr. Danza's charm.

The New York Times - Arts

As a female vocal duo, their performances are passable, if a little dull and lacking in any sense of camp exaggeration.

The New York Times

My sense is that the music performance is mostly passable, but the film doesn't go deep enough into Simone as civil right activist a real shame.

Huffington Post

They are variously skilled, from passable to amateurish, but just one performance, that of Colleen Smith Wallnau, is distinctive; her embrace of her dopey, casually racist stereotype is fearless, and her accent is true.

The New York Times

Certainly passable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passable performance" to describe situations where the outcome is acceptable but not remarkable. It's suitable when you want to acknowledge a minimum level of achievement without praising it excessively.

Common error

Avoid using "passable performance" when a truly excellent result has been achieved. It can downplay exceptional accomplishments, so opt for terms like "outstanding performance" or "remarkable achievement" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passable performance" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "passable" modifies the noun "performance". It is used to describe a performance that is adequate or acceptable but not exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passable performance" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an acceptable but not outstanding level of achievement. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, with the majority of examples stemming from News & Media sources. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid overstating the quality of the performance, as it implies a minimum level of acceptability. Consider alternatives like "adequate execution" or "satisfactory level" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember, while the phrase is generally neutral, it's crucial to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate execution

Emphasizes the sufficient but not exceptional nature of the execution.

acceptable standard

Focuses on meeting a minimum requirement or benchmark.

satisfactory level

Highlights the fulfillment of a basic expectation.

competent showing

Suggests a display of sufficient skill or ability.

modest accomplishment

Underlines the limited scope or scale of the achievement.

sufficient quality

Points to a level of quality that is just enough.

tolerable effort

Implies that the effort is barely acceptable.

average display

Indicates a performance that is neither good nor bad.

reasonable attempt

Focuses on the effort made rather than the result achieved.

serviceable job

Highlights the functionality and utility of the work done.

FAQs

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

You can use "passable performance" to describe a level of achievement that is acceptable but not outstanding. For example: "The team's "passable performance" was enough to secure a spot in the playoffs."

What are some alternatives to "passable performance"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "adequate execution", "acceptable standard", or "satisfactory level".

Is it appropriate to use "passable performance" in formal writing?

Yes, "passable performance" is suitable for formal writing when you need to convey that something meets the minimum requirements but isn't exceptional. However, consider the specific tone and audience of your writing.

What distinguishes "passable performance" from "excellent performance"?

"Passable performance" implies that something is just good enough, whereas "excellent performance" indicates that something is outstanding and exceeds expectations. The key difference lies in the degree of quality and achievement.