perfectly adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

'perfectly adequate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce or characterize something that meets a standard or expectation without exceeding it. For example, "The meal we were served was perfectly adequate, but not particularly memorable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was perfectly adequate for one person.

The New York Times

What they had was perfectly adequate.

The Guardian

The rest of the cast was perfectly adequate.

The New York Times - Arts

(It seemed perfectly adequate to me in recital last year).

The New York Times

The sound in the hall was perfectly adequate.

The New York Times - Arts

Sales Associate: It's perfectly adequate for freeway speeds.

The New Yorker

Where to eat: Dining options are limited, but perfectly adequate.

The Guardian - Travel

His footwork is perfectly adequate, but not much more.

The New Yorker

These studios offer simple but perfectly adequate accommodation.

The Guardian - Travel

In this film, Irons turns in a perfectly adequate performance.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Many have experienced foster care that is perfectly … adequate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a neutral or slightly understated tone, "perfectly adequate" can be more appropriate than stronger terms like 'excellent' or 'outstanding'.

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly adequate" when you want to express genuine enthusiasm or praise. In such cases, opt for more positive adjectives such as "excellent", "outstanding", or "remarkable". "Perfectly adequate" can sometimes be perceived as lukewarm praise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly adequate" functions as an adjective phrase typically used to modify a noun, indicating that something meets the necessary requirements or standards without being exceptional. As noted by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct way to express that something is sufficient for its purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perfectly adequate" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that meets the necessary requirements without being exceptional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While it's a reliable choice for expressing sufficiency or acceptability with a neutral tone, it's essential to consider the context to avoid sounding dismissive when higher praise is warranted. Alternatives like "entirely satisfactory" or "wholly sufficient" can offer similar meanings, but with slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly acceptable

Close synonym, but can sometimes imply a slightly lower standard than "perfectly adequate".

entirely satisfactory

Emphasizes complete satisfaction, suggesting no need for improvement.

wholly sufficient

Highlights that something completely meets the required needs.

amply acceptable

Suggests that something is more than just acceptable, but generously so.

fully up to par

Implies that something meets a specific standard or expectation.

quite suitable

Focuses on appropriateness for a particular purpose or situation.

thoroughly acceptable

Highlights a complete level of acceptance with no issues.

absolutely fine

Indicates something is good without any problems at all.

sufficiently good

Focuses on the level of goodness being enough for the purpose.

reasonably good

Suggests a moderate level of quality or suitability.

FAQs

How can I use "perfectly adequate" in a sentence?

You can use "perfectly adequate" to describe something that meets the minimum requirements or expectations. For instance, "The hotel room was "perfectly adequate" for our needs, though it wasn't luxurious."

What's the difference between "perfectly adequate" and "excellent"?

"Perfectly adequate" indicates that something is satisfactory and meets the basic requirements. "Excellent", on the other hand, suggests that something is of very high quality and exceeds expectations.

Which is a better choice, "perfectly adequate" or "satisfactory"?

Both "perfectly adequate" and "satisfactory" suggest something meets requirements, but "perfectly adequate" can imply a slightly higher standard. If you're aiming for neutrality, "satisfactory" is sufficient; for a bit more emphasis, choose "perfectly adequate".

Are there situations where "perfectly adequate" might be perceived negatively?

Yes, using "perfectly adequate" to describe something that should ideally be outstanding can sound dismissive or critical. In such situations, using phrases like "entirely satisfactory" or "wholly sufficient" could be misinterpreted if the expectation is for something more.