quite acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is considered socially acceptable, or in other words, it is not considered rude, improper, or otherwise inappropriate. For example: "I believe that his behavior was quite acceptable under the circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The agreement with measurements performed in situ is quite acceptable.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The good old greenback is quite acceptable tender.

The New York Times

But the fish and chips in pubs is quite acceptable.

The Guardian

The mileage rating (17 city, 26 highway) is quite acceptable for a car of such bulk.

The New York Times

Gilbert Roland is good-looking and quite acceptable in the part of Paul.

The New York Times

A chunky chicken salad at Burger King used fresh ingredients and was quite acceptable.

The New York Times

Hardee's also has a grilled chicken sandwich, which is quite acceptable in taste.

The New York Times

A comparison between computed and experimental conversion figures has been found quite acceptable.

Chemical Engineering Science

"Considering he broke from the one post position, his performance was quite acceptable.

The New York Times - Sports

What we thought would be a bizarre question to a hardened Londoner was proving quite acceptable.

The Guardian - Travel

We won't be rushing into something that is not quite acceptable.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing standards or performance, use "quite acceptable" to indicate that expectations have been met without necessarily exceeding them. For example, "The student's effort was lacking, but the final result was "quite acceptable"".

Common error

Avoid using "quite acceptable" when you truly mean "excellent" or "outstanding". "Quite acceptable" implies a moderate level of satisfaction, not exceptional quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite acceptable" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its level of acceptability or suitability. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite acceptable" is a commonly used adjectival phrase that expresses a moderate level of approval or satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. However, writers should be mindful of the level of acceptance they intend to convey, as "quite acceptable" suggests moderation rather than excellence. While acceptable in most settings, a more formal alternative may sometimes be appropriate. Numerous examples demonstrate this phrase's widespread use and nuanced meaning across multiple domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly tolerable

Replaces "acceptable" with "tolerable" and "quite" with "fairly", suggesting a lower degree of enthusiasm.

reasonably satisfactory

Substitutes "acceptable" with "satisfactory" and "quite" with "reasonably", indicating a sense of adequacy rather than strong approval.

perfectly permissible

Replaces "acceptable" with "permissible" and "quite" with "perfectly", emphasizing the allowed or authorized nature of something.

entirely adequate

Changes "acceptable" to "adequate" and "quite" to "entirely", focusing on the sufficient or meeting-minimum-requirements aspect.

genuinely allowable

Replaces "acceptable" with "allowable" and "quite" with "genuinely", adding a sense of authenticity to the permission.

utterly unobjectionable

Transforms "quite acceptable" into a double negative, meaning something raises no objections.

wholly conventional

Substitutes "acceptable" with "conventional", suggesting adherence to accepted norms or customs.

broadly agreeable

Changes "acceptable" to "agreeable" and "quite" to "broadly", emphasizing general consent or willingness.

largely suitable

Replaces "acceptable" with "suitable" and "quite" with "largely", indicating general fitness or appropriateness.

passably adequate

Changes both the intensifier and the core adjective to suggest something barely meets the minimum requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "quite acceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "quite acceptable" to describe something that meets the required standards or expectations. For example, "The quality of the work was "quite acceptable" for the given deadline".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "quite acceptable"?

You can use alternatives like "fairly tolerable", "reasonably satisfactory", or "perfectly permissible", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "quite acceptable" formal or informal?

"Quite acceptable" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain professional settings.

What's the difference between "quite acceptable" and "completely acceptable"?

"Quite acceptable" implies a moderate level of agreement or satisfaction, whereas "completely acceptable" suggests full and unconditional agreement. The phrase "completely acceptable" emphasizes totality of acceptance.