satisfactory to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "satisfactory to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that meets someone's approval or standards. Example: "The results of the project were satisfactory to him, and he expressed his contentment during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

However, his victory was not entirely satisfactory to him, nor was the City satisfied.

Harvard University

He labors at music and lyrics, he said, unwilling to accept what would have been satisfactory to him a few years earlier, feeling stalled.

The New York Times

If, 90 days after Dobson's letters to staff were sent out the firefighters have not reached an agreement that is satisfactory to him, he has placed himself in a position where he may legally fire them all, and offer them re-employment on a contract of his choosing.

The Guardian - Opinion

At no time did he approach a more practical solution of the problem than at this juncture when he proposed the choice of a commissioner who was to accompany the expeditionary forces, — a commissioner who was to be satisfactory to him as well as to the English Government.

University of Chicago

According to James, this contrasted with the ambition of others in the team: "Through cricket, steadiness of character and a limited outlook Joe had made a place for himself that was quite satisfactory to him".

Wikipedia

§ 3929 authorized the United States Postmaster General, "upon evidence satisfactory to him" that mail fraud was being committed, to instruct the post master at the fraudster's local post office to return registered mail addressed to the fraudster to the sender with the word "Fraudulent" written or stamped on the envelope.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This, I think advised Mr. Quinn that the Committee refused to accept his reply as a satisfactory excuse and required him to proceed.

Cornell University

"Life was just not satisfactory to her".

The New York Times

Requiring the Secretary to prorate shortages would strip him of the very power of choice which we think Congress, for reasons satisfactory to it, vested in him and which we should not impair or take away from him.

Cornell University

Arnold Schwarzenegger has given the sequels to his 1987 blockbuster Predator a skinning, saying the follow-up films – neither of which starred him – were not "satisfactory to the audience".

The Guardian - Film

And the schedule was satisfactory to the independent counsel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "satisfactory to him", ensure the context clearly establishes whose satisfaction is being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "satisfactory to him" implies universal approval. It only reflects the perspective of the individual referenced by "him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "satisfactory to him" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun. It describes a state or condition that meets an individual's expectations or approval. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, all indicating a level of acceptance or contentment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "satisfactory to him" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, denoting that something meets the expectations or approval of a specific individual. As highlighted by Ludwig, its presence in diverse sources, including news media, academic texts, and general references, indicates its versatility. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding whose satisfaction is referenced is essential to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "acceptable to him" or "pleasing to him" can offer nuanced options depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acceptable to him

Replaces "satisfactory" with "acceptable", indicating a level of agreement or consent.

agreeable to him

Replaces "satisfactory" with "agreeable", suggesting that something is to his preference.

pleasing to him

Substitutes "satisfactory" with "pleasing", emphasizing enjoyment or gratification.

suitable for him

Indicates that something is appropriate or fitting for him.

to his liking

Uses an idiomatic expression conveying that something aligns with his preferences.

met his approval

Focuses on the act of gaining his approval, rather than just being satisfactory.

up to his standards

Highlights that something reaches his level of quality or expectation.

aligned with his expectations

Highlights that something matches what he anticipated or hoped for.

in accordance with his wishes

Emphasizes compliance with his desires or commands.

met his requirements

Implies that something fulfills the specific needs or demands he has.

FAQs

What does "satisfactory to him" mean?

The phrase "satisfactory to him" means that something meets his standards, expectations, or approval. It indicates a level of acceptance or contentment from his perspective.

What can I say instead of "satisfactory to him"?

You can use alternatives like "acceptable to him", "pleasing to him", or "to his liking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "satisfactory for him" the same as "satisfactory to him"?

While similar, "satisfactory to him" emphasizes his personal judgment or feeling about something, while "satisfactory for him" might focus more on whether something meets his needs or purpose. The choice depends on the specific context.

How to use "satisfactory to him" in a sentence?

Example: "The proposed solution was not entirely "satisfactory to him", so he requested further revisions."