satisfactory quality

USAGE SUMMARY

"satisfactory quality" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe something that is good enough but not amazing. For example, "The product was described as having satisfactory quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All goods must be of satisfactory quality and be safe.

The Guardian - Money

And the materials used must be of satisfactory quality.

The Guardian - Money

"This includes provisions that the good is as described and of satisfactory quality.

The Guardian - Tech

All food and drink served must be of satisfactory quality and as described on the menu.

The Guardian - Money

Moreover, the installer must use materials that are of satisfactory quality and fit for their purpose.

The Guardian - Money

As a result, color images of highly satisfactory quality can now be seen absolutely everywhere.

The New York Times - Arts

Satisfactory quality of ultrasound image was obtained for all patients.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

The law says goods must be of satisfactory quality, which means they must be free from defects, even minor ones.

The Guardian - Money

The goods you buy must be reasonably durable and of satisfactory quality and fit for their purpose.

The Guardian - Money

These say the goods must be described accurately and be of satisfactory quality and fit for their purpose.

The Guardian - Money

The shop carries soups, salads and prepared dishes as well as frozen entrees of generally satisfactory quality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a product or service, use "satisfactory quality" to indicate that it meets the basic requirements and is free from significant defects. This term sets a realistic expectation without overpromising excellence.

Common error

Avoid using "satisfactory quality" when you intend to convey superior or exceptional quality. Terms like "excellent quality" or "premium quality" are more appropriate in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "satisfactory quality" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to a product, service, or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English to describe something "good enough but not amazing."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "satisfactory quality" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that meets a basic acceptable standard. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate to describe something "good enough but not amazing". Analysis of various sources shows its usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While not indicating exceptional quality, it is a useful term for setting realistic expectations. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar levels of acceptability, and understanding common usage errors can help ensure precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acceptable standard

Focuses more on the idea of meeting a minimum requirement or threshold.

adequate quality

Emphasizes that the quality is sufficient or good enough for a specific purpose.

reasonable quality

Highlights that the quality is fair and justifiable, considering the circumstances.

sufficient quality

Indicates that the quality is enough to fulfill a particular need or requirement.

good enough quality

An informal way of saying that the quality meets the minimum acceptable level.

up to par

Suggests that something meets a required level of performance or quality.

serviceable quality

Implies that the quality is adequate for practical use, though not necessarily exceptional.

decent quality

Indicates a quality that is respectable or fairly good.

passable quality

Suggests that the quality barely meets the requirements or is just acceptable.

within acceptable limits

Focuses on the idea that the quality falls within a range considered permissible or tolerable.

FAQs

How to use "satisfactory quality" in a sentence?

You can use "satisfactory quality" to describe a product, service, or performance that meets a required standard. For example, "The food at the restaurant was of "satisfactory quality", but the service was slow."

What can I say instead of "satisfactory quality"?

You can use alternatives like "acceptable standard", "adequate quality", or "reasonable quality" depending on the specific context.

What does "satisfactory quality" mean in legal terms?

In legal contexts, "satisfactory quality" typically refers to goods being free from defects, fit for their intended purpose, and durable. The specifics can vary depending on the jurisdiction and applicable laws like the Sale of Goods Act.

Is "satisfactory quality" the same as "high quality"?

No, "satisfactory quality" indicates that something meets a basic requirement or standard, whereas "high quality" suggests that something is above average or exceptional. They are not interchangeable.