that was satisfactory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was satisfactory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something met your expectations or requirements in a positive manner. Example: "After reviewing the report, I can confidently say that the analysis provided was satisfactory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"It really was just nailing down 1,000 loose ends in a way that was satisfactory to about eight or nine Senate offices," a Democratic aide said.

The New York Times

Mr Fingleton said he hoped the banking sector would cooperate with the OFT's investigation and help it reach a conclusion that was satisfactory for consumers as well as strengthening competition and efficiency.

The Guardian - Money

The lawyer who mediated my divorce and helped my former husband and me negotiate a marital settlement agreement that was satisfactory to both of us, and the divorce finance specialist who also contributed, said the same thing.

The New York Times

In his speech, Mr Cameron will insist he has "every confidence" that negotiations would produce an agreement that was satisfactory to the UK and the EU's 28 other member states.

Independent

Rob Speyer, president of Tishman Speyer, issued a statement this afternoon thanking Mayor Bloomberg for his efforts to facilitate a deal, but said that his company and the authority were unable to "come to a final agreement that was satisfactory to both of us".

The New York Times

Rob Speyer, president of Tishman Speyer, issued a statement thanking Mayor Bloomberg for his efforts to facilitate a deal, while saying that his company and the authority were unable to "come to a final agreement that was satisfactory to both of us".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I hope they can reach an agreement that is satisfactory".

Independent

"Simply because there is nowhere else that is satisfactory or safe for them to go".

The Guardian

Assembly methods that are satisfactory for humans are not necessarily suitable for robots.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"With a willingness for peace I'm sure we can find solutions that are satisfactory for all," Santos said.

The Guardian

How can we give a requisite amount of information that is satisfactory?" And how can Lehman make them believe it?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that was satisfactory", ensure the context clearly defines what standards or expectations were met. Be specific about what made the outcome acceptable.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "that was satisfactory" in formal reports or professional communication. Opt for stronger alternatives like "that exceeded expectations" or "that demonstrated excellence" to convey a more impactful message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was satisfactory" functions as a relative clause, often modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something met a certain standard or requirement. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in expressing acceptance or fulfillment of expectations. It indicates that a particular condition or outcome was adequate or acceptable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was satisfactory" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express that something met expectations or requirements. Ludwig AI indicates its versatility across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While suitable for many situations, be mindful of using stronger alternatives in formal settings. The phrase functions as a relative clause, primarily serving to communicate approval or acceptance. Remember to clearly define what standards are being met when using this phrase for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was acceptable

Suggests something met a basic standard without necessarily being outstanding.

that met expectations

Highlights that something fulfilled anticipated requirements or hopes.

that proved adequate

Emphasizes the sufficiency of something after a period of testing or use.

that sufficed

Replaces "satisfactory" with a synonym, implying a minimum requirement was met.

that was up to par

Indicates that something reached the required level or standard.

that hit the mark

Implies that something successfully achieved its intended goal or purpose.

that cleared the bar

Suggests something just barely met the necessary criteria or threshold.

that was good enough

Conveys a sense of minimal acceptance, implying there may have been room for improvement.

that passed muster

Indicates something successfully underwent scrutiny or inspection.

that filled the bill

Suggests that something served its purpose adequately.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that was satisfactory"?

You can use alternatives like "that was acceptable", "that was adequate", or "that met expectations" depending on the context.

How to use "that was satisfactory" in a sentence?

Use "that was satisfactory" to express that something fulfilled the requirements or expectations. For example, "The result of the experiment was satisfactory.".

Which is correct, "that was satisfactory" or "that is satisfactory"?

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "That was satisfactory" refers to something in the past, while "that is satisfactory" refers to something in the present.

What's the difference between "that was satisfactory" and "that was sufficient"?

"That was satisfactory" implies that something met the requirements and was pleasing, while "that was sufficient" implies only that something was enough to fulfill a need, without necessarily being pleasing.