tolerably fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tolerably fine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is reasonably good or acceptable, though not exceptional. Example: "The weather today is tolerably fine for a picnic, so let's go outside and enjoy it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Caroline was a "tolerably fine frigate" and her capture was a blow to the French squadron based on Île de France under Hamelin.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You are a fine woman in regard to health and strength; you are not a handsome or even a tolerably good looking woman physically, and your picture is simply horrible, horrible, horrible.

Huffington Post

Lunch went tolerably well.

The New York Times

Fairly noisy, but tolerably so.

The New York Times

So this episode ended tolerably well.

The Washington Post

Still, Ms. Dougherty seems tolerably flexible.

The New York Times

I am doing tolerably well here.

The Guardian

But some things are becoming tolerably clear.

The New York Times

As cities go, London has done that tolerably well.

The New York Times

But Aragon had managed to find a tolerably realistic image.

Independent

He counselled that "99% of computers work tolerably satisfactorily".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tolerably fine" when you want to convey that something is acceptable or reasonably good, but not outstanding or exceptional. This is useful in situations where you need to be precise about the degree of quality or condition.

Common error

Avoid using "tolerably fine" when you want to express genuine enthusiasm or high praise. This phrase suggests a moderate level of satisfaction, not exceptional delight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tolerably fine" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses a quality to an acceptable or moderate degree. Ludwig AI examples show it describing physical objects and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tolerably fine" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to indicate that something is reasonably good or acceptable, though not exceptional. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct and valid in written English. Though not frequently used, it appears in various contexts, most commonly in News & Media. When aiming for precision in expressing moderate satisfaction or acceptability, "tolerably fine" serves as a useful choice. Alternatives such as "reasonably good" or "fairly good" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably good

Emphasizes the satisfactory aspect more directly.

fairly good

Similar to reasonably good, but slightly less emphatic.

adequately good

Focuses on the sufficiency of the quality.

acceptably good

Highlights that the quality meets the minimum requirements.

satisfactorily good

Indicates a level of goodness that fulfills expectations.

sufficiently good

Similar to adequately good, stressing the sufficiency.

passably good

Suggests the quality is just barely acceptable.

moderately good

Emphasizes the average level of goodness.

not bad

A more informal way of saying something is tolerably fine.

serviceable

Suggests the quality is adequate for its intended purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "tolerably fine" in a sentence?

You can use "tolerably fine" to describe something that is reasonably good or acceptable but not exceptional. For example: "The weather today is "tolerably fine" for a picnic, so let's go outside and enjoy it."

What are some alternatives to "tolerably fine"?

Some alternatives to "tolerably fine" include "reasonably good", "fairly good", or "acceptably good" depending on the context.

Is "tolerably fine" a formal or informal expression?

"Tolerably fine" leans towards a more formal register. In casual conversations, you might prefer a phrase like "not bad" or "pretty good".

What is the difference between "tolerably fine" and "very fine"?

"Tolerably fine" suggests that something is acceptable or reasonably good, while "very fine" indicates something is of extremely high quality or excellent. Therefore, "tolerably fine" implies a moderate level, whereas very fine signifies an exceptional one.