perfectly satisfactory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly satisfactory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that meets all necessary requirements or expectations without any issues. Example: "The results of the project were perfectly satisfactory, meeting all the criteria set by the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Roast chicken with rosemary and glazed potatoes is perfectly satisfactory.

The New York Times - Food

"It's a perfectly satisfactory soufflé when it could have been a rich, meaty stew".

The Guardian - Film

Beware people proclaiming new and improved ways of doing what was perfectly satisfactory already.

The Guardian

Sometimes, a perfectly satisfactory solution is available via the hairdresser, the dental surgery or the health shop.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Just how many politicians does it take to change the same perfectly satisfactory lightbulb decade after decade?

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a simple but perfectly satisfactory way to provide a permantly archived record of your conference proceedings.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Perfectly acceptable!

Independent

"The impact on the economic, social and mental wellbeing of these women, who rightly enjoyed a perfectly legitimate expectation of satisfactory provision in retirement, has been devastating," said Mansfield and the law firm Birnberg Peirce in a statement.

The Guardian - Money

What Will Phillips, AKA Tourist, has done here is nothing new or innovative but, like a perfectly gooey boiled egg, there's a satisfactory level of shining competency on show.

The Guardian - Music

With an infinite horizon, it is essentially impossible to combine the Pareto criterion and anonymity (permuting the utilities of some generations does not change social welfare) in a fully satisfactory way, even when utilities are perfectly comparable.

SEP

You probably have the essentials you've used for years: satisfactory blankets, decent pillows, sheets that are perfectly fine.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly satisfactory" when you want to convey that something meets all necessary requirements or expectations without raising concerns or needing improvement. It's suitable for describing situations, results, or performances.

Common error

While "perfectly satisfactory" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or critical contexts where more precise or nuanced language might be expected. Consider using stronger or more descriptive adjectives to better convey the specific qualities you wish to emphasize.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly satisfactory" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It signifies that something meets the required standards or expectations without being exceptional, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perfectly satisfactory" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to express that something meets the necessary requirements or expectations without issues. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and prevalence across various contexts. It is frequently found in "News & Media", academic, and encyclopedia sources. While alternatives such as "completely acceptable" and "entirely adequate" exist, "perfectly satisfactory" provides a balanced and widely understood expression of adequacy. While the phrase is versatile, be mindful of overusing it in highly formal or critical contexts where greater nuance may be required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly acceptable

Highlights the acceptability of something without reservation and it's almost identical.

completely acceptable

Emphasizes the acceptance of something without reservation, slightly stronger than "perfectly satisfactory".

entirely adequate

Highlights the sufficiency of something for a specific purpose, focusing on meeting the necessary requirements.

wholly sufficient

Stresses the completeness of sufficiency, suggesting nothing more is needed.

fully adequate

Similar to "entirely adequate", but may imply a greater degree of competence or capability.

thoroughly acceptable

Emphasizes the depth of acceptance, implying careful consideration and approval.

absolutely fine

Indicates something is acceptable without any issues, conveying a more casual tone.

entirely suitable

Focuses on the appropriateness of something for a specific purpose or situation.

quite adequate

Indicates something that is acceptable or suitable.

decent enough

Suggests a minimum level of acceptance, implying it's not excellent but meets basic standards.

FAQs

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

You can use "perfectly satisfactory" to describe something that meets expectations. For example: "The roast chicken with rosemary and glazed potatoes is perfectly satisfactory."

What are some alternatives to "perfectly satisfactory"?

Some alternatives include "completely acceptable", "entirely adequate", or "fully adequate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "perfectly satisfactory" formal or informal?

"Perfectly satisfactory" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the audience and the specific situation to ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

Can "perfectly satisfactory" be used to describe a person's performance?

Yes, "perfectly satisfactory" can be used to describe a person's performance, indicating that it meets the required standards without being exceptional. For example, "His performance on the project was perfectly satisfactory."