patently unsatisfactory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patently unsatisfactory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is clearly or obviously inadequate or not meeting expectations. Example: "The results of the experiment were patently unsatisfactory, leading the team to reconsider their approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In an emergency debate in the House of Lords, the retired judge Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, an independent crossbench peer, said: "It is so patently unsatisfactory that the full report is not produced for the public to read.

The Guardian

It is thus possible that a p-value can come out as zero; this is patently unsatisfactory, as it would reject the null hypothesis at any significance level, thus giving rise to Type I errors (false positives).

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Patently untrue.

The Guardian - Sport

Argentina patently.

The Guardian - Sport

Patently, that's progress.

The Economist

"That's patently obvious.

The New York Times

This is patently untrue.

The New Yorker

This was patently absurd.

The New York Times

This is patently wrong.

The Economist

That is patently unsustainable.

The Economist

This was patently false.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patently unsatisfactory" to describe situations or outcomes where the inadequacy is so clear that it requires little to no explanation. This emphasizes the obviousness of the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "patently unsatisfactory" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound overly critical or pretentious in contexts where simpler language would suffice. Consider using phrases like "obviously not good enough" or "clearly didn't work" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently unsatisfactory" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe something as clearly or obviously not meeting expectations. As Ludwig AI states, it describes something inadequate. The provided examples from Ludwig showcase this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "patently unsatisfactory" is used to describe something that is clearly or obviously inadequate or not meeting expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While relatively formal, it is appropriate for news reporting, professional correspondence, and academic writing. If you need alternatives, consider phrases like "clearly inadequate" or "obviously insufficient" to achieve a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently deficient

Similar to the original phrase, but uses "deficient" instead of "unsatisfactory".

clearly inadequate

Emphasizes the lack of sufficiency or acceptability in a straightforward manner.

obviously insufficient

Highlights the readily apparent lack of what is needed or desired.

plainly unacceptable

Focuses on the lack of permissibility or approval.

utterly unacceptable

Highlights the complete and total lack of acceptability.

evidently deficient

Points out a clear shortcoming or imperfection.

unmistakably flawed

Focuses on the presence of clear and undeniable imperfections.

manifestly inadequate

Stresses that the inadequacy is undeniable and obvious.

blatantly deficient

Emphasizes the obvious and often offensive nature of the deficiency.

decidedly subpar

Indicates that something is notably below the expected standard.

FAQs

How can I use "patently unsatisfactory" in a sentence?

You can use "patently unsatisfactory" to describe something that is clearly inadequate or unacceptable. For example, "The results of the study were "patently unsatisfactory", so we decided to repeat the experiment."

What are some alternatives to "patently unsatisfactory"?

Alternatives include phrases like "clearly inadequate", "obviously insufficient", or "plainly unacceptable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "patently unsatisfactory" a formal or informal expression?

"Patently unsatisfactory" is a relatively formal expression. It's best suited for professional writing, academic papers, or situations where a more serious tone is appropriate.

What does "patently" mean in the phrase "patently unsatisfactory"?

In this context, "patently" means "clearly" or "obviously". It emphasizes that the unsatisfactory nature of something is readily apparent and requires no further explanation.