somewhat acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is marginally or partially acceptable, but not entirely so. Example: "The proposal was somewhat acceptable, but it still needed significant revisions before approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Gossip was on the way to being somewhat acceptable again.

The New York Times - Style

Assessments were obtained using a 5-point Likert-scale (1: not acceptable; 3: somewhat acceptable; 5: very acceptable).

Nature

Both groups estimated cognitive training to be "somewhat acceptable" (3 on a 5-point Likert-scale) at baseline with no significant difference between groups and no significant change from baseline to outcome.

Nature

Nonetheless, patients' motivation to adhere to a treatment regimen that is rated as "somewhat acceptable" and implemented remotely should be considered with caution when these interventions are disseminated on a large scale.

Nature

No matter what he said, though, the weird amnesiac alchemy of American politics ensured that he remained a somewhat acceptable figure, courted by politicians and network TV shows alike.

The Guardian - Opinion

Western diplomats in Moscow have, it is reliably learned, sent along reports that top Communist officials are not only stressing negotiations but — and this is the vital point — indicating that they might talk on terms somewhat acceptable to the West.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"But the price of that credit is somewhat less acceptable".

The New York Times

Many violent crime figures have evolved into semilegitimate businessmen who carry on their activities through somewhat more acceptable means.

The New York Times

The merger brought it under the somewhat more acceptable roof of a party of religious Zionists known as the Jewish Home.

The New York Times

These days it is somewhat more acceptable for the trim Henin to be a driven jock with a killer one-handed backhand.

The New York Times

Then we follow the rising path of wisdom to prevention, which sounds somewhat more acceptable than pre-emption, and which is about oil at $17 a barrel".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat acceptable" when you want to express a nuanced level of agreement or tolerance that isn't complete or enthusiastic. This suggests there are reservations or limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat acceptable" when you mean something is fully acceptable or ideal. This phrase implies there are still drawbacks or reservations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat acceptable" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing the extent to which something is considered satisfactory or allowable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates a level of acceptance that is not complete but still tolerable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat acceptable" is an adjective phrase used to express a level of agreement or tolerance that is not complete. It indicates that something meets a minimum standard or is tolerable with reservations. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to indicate that something is marginally or partially acceptable, but not entirely so. Although the phrase appears more commonly in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it can be used in most writing scenarios if the tone suits your communication goals. Related phrases include "partially satisfactory" and "reasonably tolerable", as alternatives that offer similar shades of meaning. Overall, the key is to use the expression when you aim for expressing nuanced acceptance with existing reservations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially satisfactory

Indicates a degree of satisfaction, but with room for improvement. The focus is on whether the result is good enough, rather than if it's just tolerated.

moderately satisfactory

Indicates a satisfactory state that is not particularly strong. The focus is on a positive satisfaction that is not full, but is not only tolerated.

reasonably tolerable

Highlights the ability to endure something without strong objections. The shift is to the ability to accept something without major issue.

passably adequate

Suggests something meets the minimum requirements but isn't exceptional. The nuance is on meeting a minimum standard.

fairly allowable

Emphasizes permission or authorization to a noticeable degree. The focus moves to permission and fairness.

kind of okay

An informal expression suggesting a marginal level of acceptance. The register shifts to an informal tone.

within reason

Indicates acceptance is conditional and depends on circumstances. There is an emphasis on the condition of reasonableness.

to some extent permissible

Highlights that permission is limited or conditional. The addition stresses limited scope.

up to a point

Implies agreement or tolerance only until a certain threshold is reached. The alternative introduces a defined limit.

conditionally acceptable

States acceptance is dependent on fulfilling specific conditions. There's a clear emphasis on preconditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "somewhat acceptable" to describe something that meets a minimum standard or is tolerated with reservations. For instance, "The compromise was "somewhat acceptable", though not ideal".

What's a more formal alternative to "somewhat acceptable"?

A more formal alternative could be "moderately satisfactory" or "partially satisfactory", depending on the context. These options convey a similar meaning in a more professional tone.

Is "somewhat acceptable" the same as "acceptable"?

No, "somewhat acceptable" indicates a lower degree of acceptance than just "acceptable". It suggests there are still reservations or shortcomings, whereas "acceptable" implies a more complete level of satisfaction.

When is it appropriate to use "somewhat acceptable" instead of "unacceptable"?

Use "somewhat acceptable" when something isn't ideal but is tolerable or meets the minimum requirements. "Unacceptable" should be reserved for situations where something is entirely unsuitable or cannot be tolerated at all.