a decent answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"a decent answer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a response or reply that is satisfactory or reasonable in a given situation. Example: "After pondering the difficult question for a few moments, she finally gave a decent answer that satisfied the entire group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

John Robinson This gentle series is ITV's answer to Countryfile – and a decent answer it is, too, featuring bucolic scenes held together by Ben Fogle's inimitable, plummy charm.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Writing this now, I can't even give a decent answer as to why I didn't at least get my daughter vaccinated against meningitis C (the B vaccine has not been licensed yet).

The Guardian - Opinion

Everyone asked the question, and I don't know about you, but I never really got a decent answer.

TechCrunch

(To be fair, ask most people what Bitcoin is and most won't give you a decent answer).

Vice

And I also get a decent answer.

British Journal of General Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It catches the celebrity and the publicist off-guard and you can get a halfway decent answer".

The New York Times

It's a decent result.

BBC

I was going to respond yesterday to the various people who asked yesterday why we should bother live-blogging it, but - to be honest - it's taken me a while to come up with some decent answers.

The Guardian

I gave some decent answers that were edited out.

The Guardian - Music

I asked Dave some stupid questions and he gave some decent answers.

Vice

enough questions were asked to produce some decent answers, but nobody will ever call Bob De Niro longwinded... RD: Kirk and I had a meeting and he told me the story and what it was based on.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decent answer", ensure the context clarifies what constitutes 'decent' in that situation. The standard for 'decent' can vary widely, so be specific.

Common error

While understandable in everyday speech, relying heavily on "a decent answer" may seem vague in professional or academic contexts. Opt for more specific and descriptive alternatives such as "a satisfactory response" or "a reasonable explanation" to enhance clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent answer" functions as a noun phrase, where "decent" modifies the noun "answer". It describes the quality or acceptability of the response provided. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a decent answer" functions as a noun phrase to describe an adequate or satisfactory response, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, its frequency is rare, mainly appearing in news and media, as well as science-related contexts. To enhance clarity in formal writing, more specific alternatives like "a satisfactory response" or "a reasonable explanation" may be preferred. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, understanding the context is crucial to appropriately using and interpreting the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory response

Replaces "decent" with "satisfactory", focusing on meeting a minimum requirement.

an acceptable reply

Uses "acceptable" and "reply" instead, indicating a response that is adequate but not necessarily exceptional.

a reasonable explanation

Substitutes "answer" with "explanation", implying a justification or clarification that makes sense.

a passable response

Replaces "decent" with "passable", suggesting a response that barely meets the required standard.

an adequate explanation

Replaces "decent" with "adequate", describing an explanation that is sufficient but not outstanding.

a fair response

Uses "fair" to suggest a response is equitable and just.

a tolerable answer

Employs "tolerable", indicating that the answer is acceptable, although perhaps not ideal.

a sufficient response

Replaces "decent" with "sufficient", emphasizing that the response is enough to meet the immediate need.

a credible answer

Uses "credible" to highlight the believability or trustworthiness of the response.

a sound explanation

Replaces "answer" with "explanation" and "decent" with "sound", implying that the reasoning is valid and well-founded.

FAQs

What does "a decent answer" mean?

The phrase "a decent answer" refers to a response or explanation that is satisfactory, acceptable, or reasonably good. The level of quality implied by 'decent' can vary depending on the context.

How can I use "a decent answer" in a sentence?

You can use "a decent answer" to describe a response. For example: "After considering the question, she provided "a decent answer" that satisfied everyone."

What can I say instead of "a decent answer"?

You can use alternatives like "a satisfactory response", "a reasonable explanation", or "an acceptable reply" depending on the context.

Is "a decent answer" formal or informal?

"A decent answer" is generally considered to be neutral in register, suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, it may be preferable to use more precise or sophisticated language.