reasonably bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not good, but to a degree that is acceptable or understandable. Example: "The movie was reasonably bad, but I still enjoyed some parts of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

ground stations on some of the gulf's 9,000 gas and oil rigs, giving the helicopters that supply them a way to travel to and from the coast in reasonably bad weather without getting laid low by a derrick.

The New York Times - Science

Eric "Sleepy" Floyd Age: 53 Former NBA teams: Nets, Warriors, Rockets, Spurs Floyd once poured in 29 points against the Los Angeles Lakers in a 1987 playoff game, and was the centerpiece of some reasonably bad Warriors teams in the early to mid 1980s.

The Guardian - Sport

"Sometimes Luis rolls about a bit but gets up quickly, so I knew it was a reasonably bad one for him to stay down for so long".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In life, we settle for so many different things: an average gym because it's reasonably priced, bad weather so that we can live in a fabulous city such as New York, plain and boring coffee because it's convenient to get.

Huffington Post

Few world leaders are unfamiliar by now with the basic mathematics of climate change, and while some may reasonably quibble over how bad things really are, or how bad they might get and how soon, it is difficult to believe that any large number of them still wonder if human beings are contributing to a hotter, more resource-scarce planet.

The New York Times

"One which is reasonably O.K., even in bad times, and looking forward to renewed prosperity.

The New York Times

'No one wants to have that confrontation unless they are reasonably sure that something bad has been going on.

The Guardian

Separating the charmingly forgetful wheat from the dangerously enfeebled chaff, she wonders at what point diminished capacity can reasonably be interpreted as bad judgment.

The New York Times

First, many Hewlett-Packard stockholders shared his "grave concern" that the Compaq merger was a bad idea, reasonably enough, given the poor track record of big mergers in the computer business.

The New York Times

Not bad for a reasonably priced savoury spread.

The Guardian - Opinion

Needless to say, it didn't work out; I took my dubious literacy skills elsewhere and left the interviewer (who, incidentally, could reasonably be described as a "bad wool") to ponder his ethically questionable approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonably bad", consider the context to ensure the adverb "reasonably" accurately reflects the degree of negativity you intend to convey. If the situation is overwhelmingly negative, a stronger adjective might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably bad" when describing situations that are clearly and extremely negative. In such cases, it can create a sense of understatement that weakens your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably bad" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies the adjective "bad". This qualification softens the negativity associated with "bad", indicating that something is not good, but not extremely so. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reasonably bad" is a grammatically sound and semantically valid expression used to convey a moderate level of negativity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, suggesting it's employed to temper strong criticism and indicate a degree of understanding or tolerance. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears mainly in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "fairly poor" or "somewhat disappointing". When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure you are accurately conveying the desired level of negativity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly poor

Expresses a judgment of low quality or substandard performance, suggesting a less severe deficiency.

somewhat disappointing

Highlights the element of unmet expectations, softening the impact of direct criticism.

moderately unfavorable

Indicates a level of disfavor that is neither strong nor weak, focusing on the aspect of not being preferred.

relatively substandard

Compares the subject to a standard level, revealing it as less than ideal, but not critically defective.

justifiably imperfect

Indicates that the imperfections are not without reason or excuse, suggesting an allowable level of imperfection.

understandably flawed

Acknowledges imperfections, implying there are reasons that justify the presence of faults.

permissibly deficient

Implies a level of deficiency that is allowable or tolerated under certain circumstances.

acceptably inadequate

Suggests that the level of inadequacy is within acceptable boundaries, making it tolerable.

comparatively mediocre

Positions the subject as average when compared to others, which implies a slightly negative assessment.

tolerably deficient

Expresses that the deficiency is bearable or can be put up with, implying that it isn't critically harmful.

FAQs

What does "reasonably bad" mean?

The phrase "reasonably bad" describes something that is not good, but not to an extreme degree. It implies a level of negativity that is understandable or acceptable within certain limits or contexts.

How can I use "reasonably bad" in a sentence?

You can use "reasonably bad" to describe situations, performances, or outcomes. For instance, "The weather was "reasonably bad", but we still managed to enjoy our picnic" or "The team's performance was "reasonably bad", but they showed some improvement near the end".

What are some alternatives to "reasonably bad"?

Alternatives to "reasonably bad" include "fairly poor", "somewhat disappointing", or "moderately unfavorable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "reasonably bad"?

Yes, using "reasonably bad" may be inappropriate if the situation is overwhelmingly negative or serious. In such cases, it can create a sense of understatement that diminishes the impact of the problem. A stronger term might be more fitting.