suitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suitable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or situation. Example: "The dress code for the event is formal, so please wear something suitable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You either need to be suitably qualified or experienced to do this yourself, or you should appoint someone suitable to do this on your behalf.

The Guardian

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

Officials are concerned that an airlift back to Australia could take at least 30 hours, during which time the person could die, and a more suitable arrangement would be an evacuation to a closer country.

The Guardian

The puffin seems eminently suitable to be our national bird: a dapper little character who is equally at home on sea or land, given to hedonistic feasting when the seasons allow, but also capable of austere self-denial (they spend their winters out in the North Atlantic).

The Guardian - Travel

It seems to me that the only option will be to treat "affordable rent" homes as an intermediate product which is only suitable for people in relatively high-paid work.

The Guardian

A good place to start is by exploring the history of immigration and emigration to and from Britain with this lesson plan by Teaching Resources Support, suitable for key stage 3 students.

The Guardian

Lady Verma, energy minister and a fellow Conservative, replied: "As members are aware, fracking is at its early stages of exploration and there will be areas of landscape that won't be suitable for fracking, as you rightly point out.

The Guardian

A survey by the Local Government Association in 2010 suggested that around £15bn was needed for critical condition repairs, with a further £15bn for less essential work such as ensuring schools have suitable facilities to deliver the curriculum.

The Guardian

We were wrong that David Bentley, now injured and with a football career proceeding more slowly than even Beckham could trot, was a suitable replacement.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She was flagged by several medical officers from her arrival as not suitable for the detention environment".

The Guardian

While the family favourite is suitable for ages eight and up, the slightly more war, death and violence-saturated Game of Thrones edition carries a recommended age of over 18, in line with the TV show.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suitable", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is suitable for. For example, instead of just saying "This is a suitable option", specify "This is a suitable option for beginners."

Common error

Avoid using "suitable" without specifying what the subject is suitable for. Without context, the term can be vague and less informative. Be specific about the criteria or purpose.

Linguistic Context

The word "suitable" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something possesses the necessary qualities to meet specific requirements or purposes. Ludwig AI indicates that this word is correct and usable in written English, serving to describe appropriateness or fitness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suitable" is a common adjective used to describe something that is appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "suitable", ensure you provide clear context about what the subject is suitable for to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "appropriate", "fitting", and "apt" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Overall, "suitable" is a reliable and widely understood term for indicating appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriate

Focuses on the correctness or fittingness for a specific context.

fitting

Emphasizes how well something matches or corresponds to a need.

apt

Highlights the tendency or inclination of something to be appropriate.

qualified

Indicates possession of the necessary attributes or skills.

eligible

Refers to meeting the required conditions or criteria.

applicable

Stresses the relevance of something to a particular situation.

befitting

Implies suitability in terms of decorum or social standards.

right

Indicates that something is correct or most appropriate.

meet

Focuses on satisfying certain requirements or standards.

convenient

Suggests that something is well-suited to particular needs or circumstances.

FAQs

How to use "suitable" in a sentence?

You can use "suitable" to describe something that is appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or situation. For example: "This location is "ideal for" a picnic because it has plenty of shade and beautiful views."

What can I say instead of "suitable"?

You can use alternatives like "appropriate", "fitting", or "apt" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "suitable" or "suited"?

"Suitable" is an adjective meaning appropriate or fitting, while "suited" is a verb meaning to be appropriate for or to fit well. For example, "This dress is "appropriate for" the occasion", and "That color really "flatters" you".

What's the difference between "suitable" and "available"?

"Suitable" means appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or situation, while "available" means able to be used or obtained; at someone's disposal. A resource can be "obtainable" but not "right".