they were acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something met a certain standard or was deemed satisfactory in a particular context. Example: "After reviewing the proposals, I can say that they were acceptable, but we still need to make some improvements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

They were acceptable, but they weren't Coke.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were acceptable, but too much filling outweighed the crab content.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Business

Finally, China also declared that it would review any changes to the way the legislators or the chief executive were chosen and decide whether they were acceptable.

The New York Times

As John A. Boehner of Ohio, the House Republican leader, said on the House floor, the results might not be perfect, but they were acceptable under the circumstances.

The New York Times

From the Scythian women in battle to Radclyffe Hall, Coco Chanel, and the women of WWII, women have dreamt of trousers long before they were acceptable.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Might they be acceptable?

The New York Times - Arts

"They're acceptable," he said.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were acceptable" to convey that something meets a minimum standard or requirement without necessarily being exceptional. Consider context to ensure it aligns with the intended level of satisfaction.

Common error

While "they were acceptable" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your language to include stronger positive terms like "satisfactory", "excellent", or "outstanding" when appropriate to convey nuances in evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were acceptable" typically functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were acceptable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something meets a certain standard or requirement without being exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase is versatile and appears in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While it conveys a level of satisfaction, it's important to vary your language and use stronger terms when appropriate to reflect the specific nuances of your evaluation. Consider alternative phrases like "they were satisfactory" or "they were adequate" to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were satisfactory

Replaces "acceptable" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the fulfillment of requirements.

they met the requirements

Specifies that certain standards were fulfilled.

they were adequate

Indicates that something is sufficient but not necessarily outstanding.

they were permissible

Focuses on the allowance or authorization of something.

they were up to par

Indicates that something reached the expected level of performance.

they were tolerable

Suggests a situation was endured rather than enjoyed, but still permissible.

they were reasonable

Highlights the fairness or justification of something.

they were passable

Implies something barely meets the minimum standard.

they were alright

An informal way of saying something is satisfactory.

they were inoffensive

Emphasizes the lack of objectionable qualities.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were acceptable" to indicate that something met a certain standard or was deemed satisfactory, though perhaps not exceptional. For example, "The terms of the agreement were acceptable to both parties."

What can I say instead of "they were acceptable"?

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

When is it appropriate to use "they were acceptable"?

It is appropriate to use "they were acceptable" when you want to convey that something meets a basic requirement or standard, without necessarily being outstanding or exceptional. It's useful when you want to express mild satisfaction or agreement.

What is the difference between "they were acceptable" and "they were excellent"?

"They were acceptable" suggests a basic level of satisfaction or compliance, whereas "they were excellent" implies a much higher level of quality or performance. The former indicates something met the minimum requirements, while the latter suggests exceeding expectations.