this is unsatisfactory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is unsatisfactory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express dissatisfaction with a situation, outcome, or quality of something. Example: "After reviewing the report, I must say that this is unsatisfactory and does not meet our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

If for some reason this is unsatisfactory, the student should seek a meeting with the Department Chair.

Columbia University

The organisation has given the minister seven days to respond, and if this is unsatisfactory, it will seek a judicial review.

The Guardian

However, tactics can lead to the field splitting which was the case in the 2014 Qipco 2,000 Guineas, and this is unsatisfactory.

The Guardian - Sport

This is unsatisfactory for customers, most of whom would probably prefer not to think too hard about the television programmes they watch, or where to find them.

The Economist

Clearly, this is unsatisfactory.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

This is unsatisfactory for those who think that arguments are either fallacies or not.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But this was unsatisfactory, and the NOs eventually got the upper hand.

The Economist

Since Solow (1956), the tentative answer has been differences in capital accumulation and technical change, but this was unsatisfactory since the theory failed to explain what accounts for these differences.

Journal of Economic Structures

This was unsatisfactory to Wharton, who sought its return.

Wikipedia

This was unsatisfactory to Longacre, who was responsible under the law for the proper execution of coinage dies, and who could not supervise outside work.

Wikipedia

This was unsatisfactory to many activists of the late 1960s, who protested that given the African-American's history of discrimination and poverty, some preference should be given to minorities.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is unsatisfactory", clearly state the reason for your dissatisfaction to ensure your message is understood.

Common error

Avoid using "this is unsatisfactory" without providing context or specific details about what is unsatisfactory. Without further explanation, the statement can be perceived as dismissive or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is unsatisfactory" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a negative judgment about a particular situation, object, or outcome. It explicitly conveys that something does not meet expectations or required standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is unsatisfactory" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey dissatisfaction or disapproval. While not overly common, as highlighted by Ludwig, it finds application across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. For more formal scenarios, alternatives like "this is inadequate" or "this is unacceptable" can be considered. Remember to provide specific reasons when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is not good enough

Changes the adjective to express a lack of sufficiency.

this is unacceptable

Replaces "unsatisfactory" with a stronger term implying disapproval.

this is inadequate

Substitutes "unsatisfactory" with a word that highlights the lack of required quality or quantity.

this is insufficient

Similar to "inadequate", emphasizing the lack of what is needed.

this is disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of letdown caused by the situation.

this is regrettable

Indicates that the situation is unfortunate and causes sorrow.

this falls short of expectations

Expresses that the result does not meet the anticipated standards.

this leaves much to be desired

Emphasizes that there is significant room for improvement.

this is below par

Uses an idiom to indicate that the quality is less than average.

this is simply not up to scratch

Employs a British idiom to mean that something does not meet the required standard.

FAQs

What does "this is unsatisfactory" mean?

The phrase "this is unsatisfactory" expresses that something does not meet the required standards or expectations and is therefore disappointing or unacceptable.

How can I use "this is unsatisfactory" in a sentence?

You can use "this is unsatisfactory" to express your dissatisfaction with a situation, outcome, or quality. For example: "After reviewing the report, I must say that "this is unsatisfactory" and does not meet our expectations."

Which is a more formal alternative to "this is unsatisfactory"?

More formal alternatives include "this is inadequate", "this is insufficient", or "this is unacceptable", which convey a stronger sense of disapproval.

What can I say instead of "this is unsatisfactory" in a less formal context?

In a less formal context, you could use phrases like "this is disappointing" or "this is not good enough" to express your dissatisfaction.