perfectly good

USAGE SUMMARY

"perfectly good" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something is acceptable or satisfactory in a situation, such as when you want to emphasize that something is not ideal but is still serviceable. For example, "This used car is perfectly good for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Wrote" is perfectly good.

The New York Times

With "perfectly good" reasons?

The New York Times - Style

With perfectly good lives.

The Guardian - Books

They're perfectly good vases!

The New Yorker

Perfectly good toys.

The New York Times

It's a perfectly good jacket.

The Guardian

Sounds like perfectly good English to me.

Independent

Trans people make perfectly good, reliable employees".

The Guardian

"You have a perfectly good product.

The New York Times

I've got a perfectly good career already.

Independent

I've got a perfectly good washing machine".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly good" to describe items or situations that are functional and usable, even if they are not the best available option. For instance, "The old laptop is perfectly good for basic tasks".

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly good" in highly formal or professional settings where a more sophisticated vocabulary is expected. For example, instead of saying "The proposal is perfectly good", consider "The proposal is entirely satisfactory" for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly good" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the noun as being in an acceptable or satisfactory condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

14%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perfectly good" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something as acceptable or satisfactory. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to convey that something meets a basic standard or requirement. While versatile, more formal settings may benefit from synonyms like "entirely satisfactory". When using "perfectly good", ensure it aligns with the intended formality level of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely satisfactory

Emphasizes complete satisfaction but uses a more formal tone.

absolutely fine

Stresses the lack of problems or issues with something.

completely acceptable

Focuses on the acceptance of something, implying it meets the required standards.

totally serviceable

Emphasizes the functionality and usability of something.

thoroughly adequate

Similar to 'fully adequate' but with a touch more emphasis.

fully adequate

Highlights sufficiency, suggesting something is enough to meet a need.

sufficiently good

Focuses on something being good enough, meeting the necessary criteria.

eminently suitable

Highlights the appropriateness of something for a specific purpose.

quite alright

A more casual expression conveying acceptance or agreement.

reasonably acceptable

Indicates a level of acceptance that is considered fair or moderate.

FAQs

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

You can use "perfectly good" to describe something that is acceptable and functional. For instance, "This used car is perfectly good for our needs".

What are some alternatives to "perfectly good"?

Some alternatives include "entirely satisfactory", "completely acceptable", or "fully adequate" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "perfectly good" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "perfectly good" might be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using alternatives for a more sophisticated tone.

What does "perfectly good" mean?

It implies something is acceptable or satisfactory, though perhaps not ideal. It emphasizes that an item or situation is serviceable and meets the basic requirements.