a decent attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is satisfactory or acceptable, though perhaps not outstanding. Example: "Although the project didn't meet all the requirements, it was a decent attempt given the limited time frame."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Tech

Lifestyle

Books

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Over the bar, but a decent attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a decent attempt, but lacked polish.

The Guardian - Tech

You can spend a week or month studying most journalism subjects and make a decent attempt at a profile.

The Washington Post

Until then, though, this is a decent attempt to combine faith and storytelling that will certainly register with its target audience.

The New York Times

Here are some Hollywood A-listers making a decent attempt to move beyond the obscure jargon and reveal the existential nature of what the Earth provides for humanity.

The Guardian

Norwich were strangely subdued and it was not until the 21st minute that they had a decent attempt on goal, with Bradley Johnson's 25-yard free-kick drifting just wide.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Instead, despite a decent enough attempt from Øigarden, Lippstad remains an opaque and rather cursorily drawn figure, whom the film does not dwell on.

The Guardian - Film

Arsenal took 35 minutes to muster a decent goal attempt, Santi Cazorla blazing over.

The Guardian - Sport

In the second half Swansea tired, fatigued by their midweek trip to Italy, and the introduction of Murray, in place of Ince, helped Palace to seize the initiative – so much so that the Swans failed to fashion a decent goal attempt after the break.

The Guardian - Sport

We think this is a decent first attempt but it is one so rich with possibility that we want your voice in the room when we take it to the next step.

BBC

Others noted that Secret of Evermore was a decent first attempt by the American team.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decent attempt", consider the audience and context. In formal settings, more precise or sophisticated language might be preferred, while in informal settings, it's perfectly acceptable.

Common error

Avoid using "a decent attempt" excessively in formal reports or professional evaluations where precision and detail are expected. Instead, opt for more specific feedback that highlights both strengths and areas for improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent attempt" functions as a noun phrase where "decent" modifies the noun "attempt". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, serving to describe the quality of an effort.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

14%

Film

8%

Less common in

Tech

5%

Lifestyle

3%

Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent attempt" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe efforts that meet a reasonable standard without necessarily being exceptional. As per Ludwig, its use is validated by numerous examples across diverse sources, ranging from news media to sports commentary. It serves as a neutral expression to acknowledge effort while leaving room for improvement. This phrase is suitable for various contexts, maintaining a balance between praise and constructive assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a respectable effort

Emphasizes the worthiness and respectability of the effort.

a reasonable try

Focuses on the rationality and acceptability of the attempt.

an adequate endeavor

Highlights that the effort meets a minimum requirement or expectation.

a fair shot

Implies that the attempt was given with reasonable opportunity and fairness.

a commendable undertaking

Suggests that the attempt is praiseworthy and deserving of recognition.

a passable go

Indicates that the attempt was just acceptable but not outstanding.

a satisfactory shot

Highlights the acceptable nature of the action.

a creditable showing

Focuses on the positive aspects of the outcome.

an okay effort

Indicates that the effort was merely acceptable and not particularly impressive.

a solid stab

Implies the attempt was strong and well-aimed, though results may vary.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent attempt" to describe something that is reasonably good or acceptable but not outstanding. For example: "Although the project didn't fully succeed, it was "a decent attempt" given the circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "a decent attempt"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a respectable effort", "a reasonable try", or "an adequate endeavor" as alternatives to "a decent attempt".

Is "a decent attempt" formal or informal?

"A decent attempt" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, more precise or sophisticated language might be preferred.

What does it mean when someone says "a decent attempt"?

When someone says "a decent attempt", they mean that the effort made was satisfactory or acceptable, but there is room for improvement. It acknowledges the effort without necessarily praising it as exceptional.