that was acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express approval or agreement regarding a previous action, statement, or situation. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I can confidently say that was acceptable and meets our standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even though he used some authoritarian methods, that was acceptable in Gorbachev's view.

The Guardian

Some were already there, though not in a form that was acceptable to Mr. Williams.

The New York Times

"In my opinion, the grunting was at a level that was acceptable".

The New York Times - Sports

But they have come to an agreement that was acceptable to both of them.

The Guardian

It usually took about five prints to get one that was acceptable for reproduction.

The New York Times

If that meant compromising its integrity, that was acceptable to the people running the agency.

The New York Times

"What exactly has changed in ten years, that a book that was acceptable then should be unacceptable now?" she said.

The New Yorker

The president's chief of staff, Jawed Ludin, called it a "very appropriate cabinet" that was acceptable to the people.

The New York Times

"The fact is, it didn't happen in the first month - the first six weeks - in a way that was acceptable".

The Guardian

He believed in percentages - a minimum that was acceptable for free throws, a goal for average points per possession.

The New York Times

The recent adoption of a school finance plan that was acceptable to Mr. Brownback, the Legislature and the Kansas Supreme Court has not entirely assuaged those concerns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that was acceptable", ensure the context clearly defines the standards or criteria by which something is deemed acceptable. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "that was acceptable" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound too casual or subjective. Opt for more precise language, such as "that met the required standards" or "that aligned with the specified criteria", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "that was acceptable" is to act as a subjective complement, describing a previously mentioned subject. It essentially attributes the quality of being acceptable to a situation, action, or object. Ludwig examples show it expressing agreement or sufficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was acceptable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express approval or satisfaction with a situation, action, or object. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely recognized and valid in English. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for news and general discourse, more formal settings may benefit from synonyms such as "that was satisfactory" or "that was permissible". It is crucial to clearly define the standards for 'acceptability' to avoid ambiguity. However, the overuse should be avoided in formal writing. Overall, this phrase is a versatile tool to signal agreement or satisfaction within a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was permissible

Replaces "acceptable" with "permissible", implying something is allowed or authorized.

that was allowable

Replaces "acceptable" with "allowable", indicating something is permitted according to rules or regulations.

that was satisfactory

Uses "satisfactory" instead of "acceptable", indicating something meets the required expectations.

that was reasonable

Substitutes "acceptable" with "reasonable", suggesting something is logical or justifiable.

that was satisfactory to all parties

Adds the element that "acceptable" is for everyone

that was tolerable

Replaces "acceptable" with "tolerable", implying something is bearable or endurable, though perhaps not ideal.

that was in line with expectations

This expresses the idea that something aligned with the expectations.

that was adequate

Substitutes "acceptable" with "adequate", suggesting something is sufficient but not necessarily outstanding.

that was admissible

Uses "admissible" implying something can be considered or allowed, often in legal or formal contexts.

that was agreed upon

This alternative explicitly states that there was an agreement about something.

FAQs

What does "that was acceptable" mean?

The phrase "that was acceptable" means that something met a certain standard, requirement, or level of approval in a particular situation. It implies that the outcome or behavior was satisfactory or permissible.

How can I use "that was acceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "that was acceptable" to express agreement or approval regarding a previous action, statement, or situation. For example, "After reviewing the proposal, I can confidently say "that was acceptable" and meets our standards."

Which is a more formal alternative to "that was acceptable"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "that was satisfactory", "that was permissible", or "that was in compliance" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "that was acceptable" and "that was ideal"?

Yes, "that was acceptable" implies something met the minimum requirements or standards, while "that was ideal" suggests it was the best possible outcome or solution. Acceptable is sufficient, whereas ideal is optimal.