a decent balance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent balance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the need for a satisfactory or reasonable equilibrium between two or more elements, such as work and life, or different aspects of a situation. Example: "It's important to maintain a decent balance between your professional responsibilities and personal life to avoid burnout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

(In that respect, Sotomayor struck a decent balance).

The New Yorker

As a filmmaker, Mr. Lurie cannot hope to match Peckinpah's lyricism, but he strikes a decent balance of bluntness and subtlety.

The New York Times

As a filmmaker, he added, "Mr. Lurie cannot hope to match Peckinpah's lyricism, but he strikes a decent balance of bluntness and subtlety".

The New York Times

The apparent divide between those who were taken aback by the timing of the increase and those who were not "probably means that he found a decent balance," Ms. Forbes said.

The New York Times

As far as tween-oriented shows go, "Free Rein" is as watchable as they come — reasonable kid-acting, no constant shrieking, and a decent balance of friendship stories, family stories, romantic subplots and general horsiness.

The New York Times

On Thursday evening, when the Cleveland Orchestra made its ceremonial appearance, the engineers seemed, for the first time, to have achieved a decent balance between bass and treble, and a great deal of clarity.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

You should be familiar with all the parts on a skateboard, have decent balance and know how to ollie.

WikiHow

"It's probably not a do-it-at-all-costs I.P.O.," Mr. Konefal said, "but there's a lot of pressure on both companies to capitalize themselves in a way that ensures decent balance sheets for both".

The New York Times

Otherwise, Corbyn could struggle to secure a decent gender balance on his front bench.

The Guardian

Banks could mitigate the impact on those angry at losing their free banking by offering free banking to those with a decent credit balance – say £1,000, as already happens with some accounts.

Independent

Many chefs have long insisted on a decent work/life balance for their employees (take a bow, Giorgio Locatelli) – but if restaurateurs are at last taking this issue seriously, who knows, maybe they'll next put their minds to service charges and wages?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for "a decent balance" in writing, ensure each element receives appropriate emphasis and detail, avoiding disproportionate focus that could skew the overall message.

Common error

Avoid letting one element dominate your writing when striving for "a decent balance". Ensure all relevant aspects receive fair consideration to maintain objectivity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent balance" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It describes the state of equilibrium between two or more elements. Ludwig AI examples show it is used in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent balance" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a satisfactory equilibrium between different elements. According to Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with applications extending to science, academia, and business. While its register is generally neutral, its communicative purpose is often to highlight or advocate for fairness and proportionality. When writing, ensure each aspect contributes appropriately to the overall balance and take note of authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and Forbes, which frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable equilibrium

Replaces "decent" with "reasonable", suggesting a fair and acceptable state of equilibrium.

a fair equilibrium

Substitutes "decent" with "fair", implying impartiality and justice in the balance.

an adequate equilibrium

Replaces "decent" with "adequate", indicating that the balance is sufficient but not exceptional.

a satisfactory proportion

Replaces "balance" with "proportion", focusing on the relative size and arrangement of elements.

a good equilibrium

Replaces "decent" with "good", conveying a generally positive and desirable balance.

a workable compromise

Shifts the focus to the idea of a compromise that is practical and functional.

a practical equilibrium

Replaces "decent" with "practical", highlighting the usefulness and applicability of the balance.

an acceptable trade-off

Emphasizes the exchange and concessions made to achieve the balance.

a sustainable equilibrium

Highlights the stability and maintenance of the balance over time.

a functional compromise

Focuses on the operational aspect of reaching an agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent balance" to describe a situation where different elements are in a satisfactory or acceptable equilibrium. For instance, "The company strives to maintain "a decent balance" between profit and social responsibility".

What are some alternatives to saying "a decent balance"?

Alternatives include "a reasonable equilibrium", "a fair proportion", or "a satisfactory compromise", depending on the specific context.

Is it always positive to have "a decent balance"?

Generally, yes. Having "a decent balance" usually implies a positive and desirable state, indicating fairness, stability, and well-being. However, the specific interpretation can depend on the context.

What does it mean to strike "a decent balance"?

To strike "a decent balance" means to find or achieve an acceptable compromise or equilibrium between different elements or considerations. For example, striking "a decent balance" between work and personal life involves managing time and priorities to satisfy both aspects.