they are acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something meets a certain standard or is satisfactory in a given context. Example: "After reviewing the proposals, I can confirm that they are acceptable for our project requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

As long as the activities are "fair", they are acceptable.

The Guardian

If you're not reading this, we hope that they are acceptable.

The New Yorker

A Business Risk Assessment reviews the risks to the agency mission and determines if they are acceptable or not.

FISMA Compliance Handbook

Dendrimers caused no cell death even at the concentration of 250 μg/mL, suggesting that they are acceptable for pharmaceutical applications.

Biomaterials

Mrs. Whitman submitted a list of potential programs last fall, and a Superior Court judge will decide by next week whether they are acceptable.

The New York Times

With so many people against him, the main question seems to be by how much more Mr Takenaka's reforms will be watered down before they are acceptable.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Might they be acceptable?

The New York Times - Arts

"They're acceptable," he said.

The New York Times

They were acceptable, but they weren't Coke.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They're acceptable for lots of courses, but not all".

The Guardian

I visited a couple, and they were acceptable as far as they go.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are acceptable", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for acceptability. Be specific about what standards or expectations are being met.

Common error

Avoid using "they are acceptable" without specifying why they are acceptable. Overgeneralization can make the statement vague and meaningless. Provide context or criteria for evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are acceptable" functions as a predicative expression. It asserts that a subject (represented by "they") meets a certain standard or is satisfactory according to given criteria. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are acceptable" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to indicate that something meets a certain standard or is satisfactory. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, including science, news media, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the criteria for acceptability are clearly defined to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "they are satisfactory" or "they are permissible" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight nuances. Authoritative sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and BBC frequently employ this phrase, further validating its widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are satisfactory

Replaces "acceptable" with "satisfactory", focusing on meeting a certain standard or requirement.

they are permissible

Substitutes "acceptable" with "permissible", emphasizing that something is allowed or not forbidden.

they are adequate

Uses "adequate" instead of "acceptable", suggesting something is sufficient but not necessarily outstanding.

they are tolerable

Replaces "acceptable" with "tolerable", implying something is bearable but perhaps not ideal.

they are allowable

Similar to "permissible", but perhaps with a slightly different connotation depending on the context.

they are suitable

Indicates that something is appropriate for a specific purpose or situation.

they are alright

An informal way of saying something is acceptable or satisfactory.

they pass muster

An idiomatic expression meaning they meet the required standard or scrutiny.

they are up to par

Means "they are good enough" or "they meet expectations".

they are in line

Implies that they conform to a standard or regulation.

FAQs

How can I use "they are acceptable" in a sentence?

Use "they are acceptable" to indicate that certain items, conditions, or results meet a specified standard or requirement. For example, "The proposed changes are acceptable to the committee."

What are some alternatives to "they are acceptable"?

You can use alternatives like "they are satisfactory", "they are permissible", or "they are adequate" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "they are acceptable" or "they are accepted"?

"They are acceptable" means they meet certain standards or requirements, while "they are accepted" means they have been agreed upon or received approval. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use the phrase "they are acceptable"?

The phrase "they are acceptable" is appropriate in situations where you need to convey that something meets a particular standard or is satisfactory for a specific purpose. This can be in formal settings, like business or academic contexts, or in more informal settings when discussing preferences or conditions.