What is acceptable? Pronunciation and usage in English

acceptable means . Learn how to pronounce and use acceptable through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of acceptable

acceptableadjective

/əkˈsɛptəbl/
Definition & pronunciation of acceptable

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "acceptable" in English. It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllable Breakdown:

  • ac-cep-ta-ble - We'll focus on each syllable.

2. Pronunciation Guide:

  • ac: Sounds like "ak" - like the "a" in "apple." (Pronounced as /æk/)
  • cep: Sounds like "sep" – like the beginning of “September.” (Pronounced as /sep/)
  • ta: Sounds like "tah" – like the "a" in "father." (Pronounced as /tə/)
  • ble: Sounds like "bluh" – a short, unstressed "uh" sound. (Pronounced as /bl/)

3. Putting it Together:

Say it slowly: Akk-sep-tah-bluh

4. Faster: When spoken naturally, it flows together a bit. A good approximation is: Ak-sep-tuh-bluh

5. Key Points & Tips:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable – "cep." This is what makes it "ak-sep-tah-bluh" and not "ak-sep-tuh-bluh".
  • "a" in "acceptable": The "a" in "ac" is a short "a" sound, like in "apple." Don't pronounce it like the "a" in "cat."
  • "uh" in "ble": The "uh" in "ble" is vital. It’s a very short, unstressed vowel sound. It’s often easy to accidentally pronounce it as a long "e" (like in "bed"). Think of it as a quick, tiny "uh."

Resources for Hearing it:

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Usage and examples with the word acceptable in English

Let's break down how to use the word "acceptable" effectively in English. It's a versatile word, but it’s important to understand its nuances.

1. Basic Meaning:

At its core, "acceptable" means satisfactory, tolerable, or good enough. It indicates that something meets a minimum standard or requirement.

2. How to Use It - Different Contexts:

  • Describing Quality: This is the most common use.

    • "The report was acceptable, but it needed more data." (It was okay, but not great)
    • "The food was acceptable – nothing special, but it filled me up." (It was adequate)
    • "The hotel room was acceptable for the price." (It was okay given the cost)

  • Accepting a Proposal/Suggestion: You can use it to show you’re willing to consider something.

    • "I’m acceptable with your proposed schedule." (I agree with it.)
    • "The offer is acceptable under certain conditions." (I'll agree, but only with these factors.)

  • Describing Behavior/Conduct:

    • "His behavior was acceptable in the context of the situation." (His behavior was appropriate for what was happening)
    • “The level of noise was acceptable during the break.” (It was a reasonable amount of noise)

  • Referring to Limits or Standards:

    • "The amount of pollution is acceptable according to current regulations." (It’s within the legal limit)
    • "She met the acceptable range for her blood pressure." (Her blood pressure was within an acceptable range).

3. Key Differences and Related Words:

  • Acceptable vs. Good: “Acceptable” is more about meeting a minimum standard. “Good” implies a higher level of quality.

    • Example: “The coffee was acceptable” (it was drinkable) vs. “The coffee was good” (it was delicious).

  • Acceptable vs. Adequate: These words are often interchangeable, but "adequate" tends to emphasize “enough” rather than necessarily “satisfactory.”

    • "We have an adequate supply of food." (We have enough food)
    • "The solution is acceptable." (It works and is satisfactory).

  • Suitable: "Suitable" means appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose.

    • “This car is suitable for city driving.”

4. Phrases Using “Acceptable”:

  • “It’s acceptable to ask for help.”
  • “I found his apology to be acceptable.”
  • “The damage was deemed acceptable.” (meaning repairable).

5. Tone and Formality:

“Acceptable” is generally a relatively neutral word. It’s suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

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  • Can you give me an example sentence where you’d like to use the word "acceptable"?

Synonyms for the word acceptable

Practice with vocabulary acceptable

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The client agreed that the proposed timeline was completely __________ for the project.
  2. Her behavior during the meeting was not __________ and caused unnecessary tension.
  3. The manager found the team’s progress to be __________, though there was room for improvement.
  4. It is __________ to submit your report by the end of the week to avoid penalties.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best describes something that meets the required standards?
    a) Acceptable
    b) Tolerable
    c) Exceptional
    d) Unacceptable

  2. Choose the word(s) that fit the sentence: “The quality of the product was __________, but it could have been better.”
    a) Acceptable
    b) Satisfactory
    c) Inadequate
    d) Superb

  3. Which word means “fair or moderate in quality”?
    a) Adequate
    b) Acceptable
    c) Outstanding
    d) Poor

  4. Which word(s) can replace “sufficient” in the sentence: “The explanation provided was __________ to address the issue.”
    a) Adequate
    b) Acceptable
    c) Insufficient
    d) Unacceptable

  5. Which word does NOT fit in the sentence: “The team’s performance was __________, exceeding all expectations.”
    a) Acceptable
    b) Exceptional
    c) Outstanding
    d) Remarkable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The proposal was deemed suitable for further consideration.
    Rewrite:

  2. Original: It is not permissible to use personal devices during the exam.
    Rewrite:

  3. Original: The hotel’s service was adequate, but not exceptional.
    Rewrite:

Answer

Exercise 1:

  1. acceptable
  2. acceptable
  3. reasonable
  4. mandatory

Exercise 2:

  1. a) Acceptable
  2. a) Acceptable, b) Satisfactory
  3. b) Acceptable
  4. a) Adequate, b) Acceptable
  5. a) Acceptable

Exercise 3:

  1. The proposal was deemed acceptable for further consideration.
  2. It is not acceptable to use personal devices during the exam.
  3. The hotel’s service was satisfactory, but not exceptional.

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