Cool MateNo good vs Unacceptable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No good
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Unacceptable
FormalTop 3,000 (common)B2adjective
Most formal: Unacceptable
| No good | Unacceptable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ɡʊd//🇺🇸 //noʊ ɡʊd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌʌnəkˈseptəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌʌnəkˈseptəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not acceptable or useful. | Not okay or not allowed. |
| Example | This plan is no good; we need to rethink it. | Such behaviour is totally unacceptable in a civilized society. |
| Register | Informal | Formal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | no good at all, no good for something, feel no good, it's no good, no good reason | be, prove, seem, absolutely, completely, entirely, to |
| Antonyms | - | acceptable, agreeable, satisfactory |
| Common mistakes | Overusing it in formal writing or speech., 'No good' mistaken for 'not good', which is more common., Using it without context, making the meaning unclear. | Confused with 'unacceptable' and 'unexceptable'., Used in casual contexts where simpler words like 'not okay' would fit better., Mispronounced, especially the 'un' part. |
| Usage notes | Typically used to express dissatisfaction or disapproval. It's informal and may not be suitable in formal settings. | Use 'unacceptable' in formal situations, such as professional settings or written complaints. Avoid in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: No good vs Unacceptable
What's the difference between No good and Unacceptable?
No good: Not acceptable or useful. Unacceptable: Not okay or not allowed.
Which is more formal: No good and Unacceptable?
Unacceptable is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
No good: This plan is no good; we need to rethink it. Unacceptable: Such behaviour is totally unacceptable in a civilized society.
Can I use No good and Unacceptable interchangeably?
Not always. No good and Unacceptable are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.