a decent effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a decent effort" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe something that was attempted but didn't necessarily turn out as planned. For example, "Even though the outcome was not what we had hoped for, we put in a decent effort".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Still a decent effort.

The Guardian - Sport

A decent effort.

The Guardian - Sport

A decent effort from where he was.

The Guardian - Sport

It doesn't match up, but it's a decent effort".

The Guardian - Sport

That's a decent effort from a tight spot.

The Guardian - Sport

John McCain has made a decent effort to reach out to them.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Lee herself has described the novel in a statement as "a pretty decent effort".

The Guardian - Books

"It features the character known as Scout as an adult woman and I thought it a pretty decent effort," Lee said in a statement released by HarperCollins, who will publish the book this summer.

Huffington Post

Chavez hits a decent enough effort towards the top left, but it's a little high, and Hart had it covered anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

Banahan's try seven minutes from the end of normal time was a decent enough effort, sparked by Haskell's initial surge and a nicely timed run from Steve Borthwick that allowed him to take the ball at speed and fracture the Pumas' defensive line, but this isolated success was nowhere near sufficient to erase the memory of what had gone before.

Independent

It features the character known as Scout as an adult woman and I thought it a pretty decent effort.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decent effort" to acknowledge an attempt that may not have been entirely successful but still showed a reasonable level of commitment and competence.

Common error

Avoid using "a decent effort" when the achievement was clearly outstanding. Instead, opt for stronger terms like "remarkable achievement" or "exceptional performance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent effort" functions as a noun phrase that describes an action or attempt. As shown in the Ludwig examples, the phrase refers to the quality of the attempt, often implying that it was reasonably good, even if not entirely successful.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Sport

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a decent effort" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an attempt or undertaking that is reasonably good, even if not entirely successful. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. It functions as a noun phrase, acknowledging the positive aspects of the attempt. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, including news, sports, and formal writing. While alternatives like "a commendable attempt" or "a respectable endeavor" might be preferred for a more formal tone, "a decent effort" remains a versatile and widely used expression. Be mindful not to use it when the achievement was clearly outstanding, opting for stronger terms in such cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable attempt

Indicates a sensible and practical approach to the effort.

a commendable attempt

Emphasizes the praiseworthy nature of the attempt, suggesting it deserves recognition.

a solid attempt

Implies a strong and reliable effort, suggesting a firm foundation.

a respectable endeavor

Highlights the respectability and worthiness of the undertaking.

a worthwhile undertaking

Highlights the value and purpose of the effort.

a significant attempt

Highlights the magnitude and impact of the undertaking.

a fair try

Indicates an honest and reasonable attempt, often used in a more informal context.

a noteworthy endeavor

Suggests the effort is significant and deserving of attention.

a creditable performance

Focuses on the performance itself, suggesting it was worthy of praise or recognition.

a passable effort

Suggests the effort was just good enough, meeting the minimum requirement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent effort" to describe an attempt that was reasonably good, even if it didn't achieve the desired outcome. For example, "Despite the loss, the team put in "a decent effort"."

What are some alternatives to "a decent effort"?

Alternatives include "a commendable attempt", "a respectable endeavor", or "a fair try", depending on the context and the level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "a decent effort" in formal writing?

Yes, "a decent effort" is appropriate for formal writing, although alternatives like "a commendable attempt" or "a respectable endeavor" might be preferred in certain contexts for a more sophisticated tone.

What does "a decent effort" imply about the outcome?

"A decent effort" suggests that while the attempt was reasonable and showed commitment, the outcome may not have been entirely successful or exceptional. It acknowledges the positive aspects of the attempt without overstating the achievement.