a decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality or standard. Example: "She gave a decent performance at the concert, impressing the audience with her talent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First, a decent spirit.

The New Yorker

A decent suitcase.

Independent

A decent man.

The Economist

It's a decent glass".

The New York Times - Arts

He's a decent family man".

The New Yorker

"A decent night," he said.

The New York Times

He was a decent man.

The New York Times

You get a decent haircut.' ".

The New York Times - Arts

Walt is a decent man.

The New York Times

"He is a decent man.

The New York Times

He managed a decent joke.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decent" to convey a sense of moderate approval or satisfaction, rather than enthusiastic praise. Consider stronger adjectives if you wish to express more excitement or admiration.

Common error

In formal or academic writing, relying heavily on "a decent" can make your prose sound bland. Substitute with more precise adjectives that convey specific qualities or attributes to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun, indicating an acceptable or satisfactory level of quality or character. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples, where it describes everything from "a decent spirit" to "a decent haircut".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

21%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent" functions as an adjective phrase used to express a satisfactory or acceptable level of quality or character. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, media, and general web content. The phrase is generally considered grammatically correct and appropriate for neutral registers. When you are looking for alternatives, consider using phrases like "a satisfactory" or "a reasonable" for similar connotations. Use with an understanding of when you are looking to mean something 'of good enough quality', or when a more exciting or interesting word could make your meaning stronger.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory

Replaces "decent" with a synonym emphasizing an acceptable level of quality.

a reasonable

Indicates that something is fair and acceptable.

an adequate

Implies that something meets the minimum requirements or expectations.

a respectable

Suggests that something is worthy of respect due to its quality or condition.

a passable

Indicates that something is just good enough to be accepted.

a fair

Highlights impartiality or satisfactory quality without being exceptional.

a suitable

Emphasizes appropriateness for a particular purpose or situation.

an acceptable

Focuses on the idea that something is good enough to be agreed upon or tolerated.

a tolerable

Suggests that something is bearable or endurable, though not necessarily ideal.

a competent

Refers to having the necessary skills or qualities; it's more applicable to person than objects.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a decent"?

You can use alternatives like "a satisfactory", "a reasonable", or "an adequate" depending on the context.

How do you use "a decent" in a sentence?

Use "a decent" to describe something that is acceptable or satisfactory in quality. For example, "He's a decent man" or "That's a decent result."

When is it appropriate to use "a decent"?

It is appropriate to use "a decent" in situations where you want to express that something meets a reasonable standard without being exceptional. It's commonly used in everyday conversation and writing.

What is the difference between "a decent" and "a proper"?

"A decent" implies something is satisfactory or acceptable, while "a proper" suggests something is correct, appropriate, or conforming to established standards or customs. The former focuses on adequacy, the latter on correctness or suitability.