something to be desired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something to be desired" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is lacking or not satisfactory, indicating that there is room for improvement. Example: "The service at the restaurant was something to be desired, as the staff was inattentive and slow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The results left something to be desired.

The New York Times - Tech

And it is certainly something to be desired.

The New Yorker

But his translation skills left something to be desired.

The New York Times - Style

The principals also leave something to be desired.

The Guardian

But collectively the Yankees left something to be desired.

The New York Times - Sports

"The social life leaves something to be desired," she acknowledged.

The New York Times

The working environment leaves something to be desired.

The New York Times

The dim sum, however, leaves something to be desired.

The New York Times

Breakfast is included but leaves something to be desired.

The New York Times - Travel

That leaves something to be desired, very desired.

Independent

But the camera leaves something to be desired.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something to be desired" when you want to politely point out a deficiency or area for improvement without being overly critical. For example, "The organization of the event left something to be desired, but the speakers were excellent."

Common error

While "something to be desired" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very formal or critical contexts where more direct and specific language would be more appropriate. Instead of saying "The report's methodology left something to be desired", consider "The report's methodology was flawed due to the small sample size".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something to be desired" functions as an idiomatic expression used to politely indicate that something is lacking or not entirely satisfactory. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, providing numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "something to be desired" is a widely used and grammatically correct idiom for indicating that something is lacking or not fully satisfactory. Ludwig AI affirms its versatility, noting its frequent appearance in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. While generally neutral in tone, it is best used to politely suggest areas for improvement without being overly critical. Alternatives like "leaves much to be desired" or "not up to par" can be used depending on the context. Avoid overuse in highly formal situations where direct and specific feedback is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaves much to be desired

Intensifies the lack of satisfaction.

not up to par

A more informal way of saying something isn't good enough.

falls short of expectations

Highlights the failure to meet anticipated standards.

could be better

A simple and direct way to express that something is not ideal.

not satisfactory

Emphasizes the inadequacy of something.

deficient in some respects

Focuses on specific areas where something is lacking.

lacking in quality

Highlights the poor quality of something.

less than ideal

A more polite way of saying something isn't perfect.

suboptimal

A more technical term for something not being the best.

not quite good enough

Indicates something almost meets the required standard but doesn't quite make it.

FAQs

How can I use "something to be desired" in a sentence?

Use "something to be desired" to politely indicate a deficiency or area needing improvement. For example, "While the location was beautiful, the service left "much to be desired"".

What are some alternatives to "something to be desired"?

You can use phrases like "leaves much to be desired", "not up to par", or "falls short of expectations" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "leaves something to be desired" or "has something to be desired"?

"Leaves something to be desired" is the idiomatic and more commonly used expression. "Has something to be desired" is grammatically incorrect.

When is it inappropriate to use "something to be desired"?

Avoid using "something to be desired" in highly formal or critical situations where direct and specific feedback is necessary. In such cases, provide a more detailed explanation of the specific shortcomings.