slightly acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly acceptable" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is only somewhat acceptable or satisfactory, but not entirely perfect. For example: - "Your work on this project is only slightly acceptable. I expect better quality next time." - "The food at the restaurant was slightly acceptable, but I wouldn't say it was outstanding." - "Her behavior was only slightly acceptable at the family gathering. She could have been more considerate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The deigned TBSC had 65 items rated on five Likert scales of unacceptable, slightly unacceptable, neutral, slightly acceptable, and acceptable points (Additional file 1).

Language Testing in Asia

Furthermore, we evaluated the social acceptability of smoking with an ad-hoc questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale: "Not acceptable", "Slightly acceptable", "Moderately acceptable", "Acceptable", and "Very acceptable".

BMC Women's Health

If you can't afford International Schools, Private schools like Bakti Mulya 400, Tirta Marta, Don Bosco, Tarakanita or Al-Izhar are slightly acceptable, you need to be popular there, of course just don't join those crappy gangs.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Cigars were slightly more acceptable back then, and his desk was really just an old door slapped across sawhorses.

The New York Times

Bill Clinton and other presidents offered much the same vision, even if they dressed it up in a slightly more acceptable package.

The Guardian - Opinion

He cited fatigue for his decision to remove Hazard and Cesc Fàbregas just before the hour mark and pointed to the burst of energy provided by Pedro and Willian as key to a slightly more acceptable last 20 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

The poll also examined people's attitudes to nuclear power and found it had become slightly more acceptable to the public, in particular as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Guardian

Model 2 was slightly more acceptable in the morning (91% compared with 83%), but at the end of the afternoon Models 2 and 3 were deemed equally acceptable by 83% of participants.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

This was the cusp of indie, just before the slightly more acceptable combo of cardigans and skinny jeans.

Vice

The movie currently holds an aggregate 38percentt rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a slightly more acceptable score of 5.9/10 on IMDb.

Vice

These people know that being away from the dining room table doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavor or freshness -- even if it is, fortunately, slightly more acceptable to eat with your hands.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly acceptable" when you want to convey that something barely meets the minimum requirements or standards. It's useful in situations where a stronger endorsement isn't warranted.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly acceptable" when the situation requires a clearly positive or negative assessment. If something is truly unacceptable, don't soften the statement with "slightly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly acceptable" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something meets a certain standard or requirement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and used to convey a nuanced assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly acceptable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an adjectival modifier. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to express a qualified or nuanced judgment, indicating that something barely meets the minimum requirements or standards. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While alternatives like ""marginally acceptable"" or ""somewhat acceptable"" exist, understanding the subtle differences in meaning is crucial for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally acceptable

Emphasizes the small degree to which something meets the criteria of being acceptable.

barely acceptable

Highlights that something is at the lowest level of acceptability.

somewhat acceptable

Indicates a moderate level of acceptability, more general than "slightly".

passably acceptable

Suggests something is acceptable to a degree that allows it to pass or be tolerated.

just acceptable

Similar to 'barely', but focuses on reaching the required level.

minimally acceptable

Highlights the lowest possible degree of acceptability.

tolerably acceptable

Focuses on the capacity to tolerate something that is acceptable, though not ideal.

adequately acceptable

Stresses that something meets the necessary requirements to be acceptable.

moderately acceptable

Refers to a level that is above "slightly" and indicates a medium degree of acceptance.

kind of acceptable

More informal and conversational, but indicates a similar sentiment of limited acceptance.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly acceptable" to describe something that is just barely meeting the required standards or expectations. For example, "The quality of the work was "slightly acceptable", but there is room for improvement."

What are some alternatives to "slightly acceptable"?

Alternatives to "slightly acceptable" include "marginally acceptable", "barely acceptable", or "somewhat acceptable". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "slightly acceptable" a formal or informal expression?

"Slightly acceptable" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language might be preferred in formal settings.

What's the difference between "slightly acceptable" and "acceptable"?

"Acceptable" indicates that something meets the required standards, while "slightly acceptable" suggests that it barely meets them. The addition of "slightly" indicates a lower degree of satisfaction compared to a straightforward "acceptable".