a decent explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an explanation that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality. Example: "After reviewing the project, I think we need a decent explanation of the methodology used."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

(As if that's a decent explanation for anything).

The New York Times - Books

That wasn't actually a decent explanation at all, was it?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

THE DOCTOR Well, as long as there's a decent explanation, that's good enough for me.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A decent explanation has universal reach, he reckons, and the quest for explanations is what makes people human.

The Economist

If he provides a decent explanation, he may still be a contender for the top job, despite a career that has suffered occasional sniping from impertinent associates.

The Guardian - Business

He argued: "We need a decent explanation of what charities have done with their resources and the charity commission should be far more demanding".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

After all, somebody needs to come up with a pretty decent explanation as to how a guitar record made in 2008 could crackle with this much electricity.

The Guardian - Music

Look, sorry, there's a perfectly decent explanation for this.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

According to Time film critic Richard Corliss, there's a perfectly decent explanation for this.

The Guardian - Film

Gaps of weeks and sometimes months are regularly reported by those being assessed – many of them have received no decent explanation for the delays.

The Guardian - Opinion

A copy of the Radio Times so you can write some decent explanations with the TV listings - Mike Evans 20.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decent explanation", ensure the context clearly indicates what standards or expectations the explanation is meeting. For example, "The company owes its investors a decent explanation for the financial losses."

Common error

While "decent" is generally acceptable, consider substituting it with stronger or more precise adjectives like "satisfactory", "adequate", or "reasonable" in formal writing to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent explanation" functions as a noun phrase, where "decent" modifies the noun "explanation". It typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as "provide a decent explanation" or "need a decent explanation".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent explanation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an explanation meeting a satisfactory standard. Ludwig AI marks it as correct with primary usage in "News & Media". While fairly common, especially within news contexts, you might consider stronger alternatives like "satisfactory" or "adequate" in more formal settings. Remember that context is important when using this phrase, as it implies a certain level of acceptance but may not necessarily indicate high quality. By following usage tips and avoiding overuse in formal contexts, you can effectively employ "a decent explanation" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory explanation

Replaces "decent" with "satisfactory", emphasizing the fulfillment of a requirement or expectation.

an acceptable explanation

Substitutes "decent" with "acceptable", indicating that the explanation meets a certain standard or threshold.

an adequate explanation

Substitutes "decent" with "adequate", suggesting that the explanation is sufficient but not necessarily outstanding.

a reasonable explanation

Replaces "decent" with "reasonable", indicating that the explanation is logical and justifiable.

a plausible explanation

Substitutes "decent" with "plausible", focusing on the believability or credibility of the explanation.

a credible explanation

Replaces "decent" with "credible", emphasizing the trustworthiness and reliability of the explanation.

a convincing explanation

Replaces "decent" with "convincing", highlighting the persuasive power of the explanation.

a valid explanation

Substitutes "decent" with "valid", implying that the explanation is well-founded and legitimate.

a sound explanation

Replaces "decent" with "sound", emphasizing the logical coherence and reliability of the explanation.

a fair explanation

Substitutes "decent" with "fair", suggesting impartiality and objectivity in the explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent explanation" to describe an explanation that is satisfactory or acceptable. For example, "The teacher demanded "a decent explanation" for the student's absence".

What's a more formal alternative to "a decent explanation"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "a satisfactory explanation", "an adequate explanation", or "a reasonable explanation".

Is "a decent explanation" always a positive thing?

Not necessarily. While "decent" generally implies something is acceptable, it can also suggest that it's merely passable or not particularly impressive. The context determines whether it's a compliment or a mild criticism.

What's the difference between "a decent explanation" and "a good explanation"?

A "good explanation" implies a higher quality, suggesting it is thorough and well-articulated. "A decent explanation" simply means the explanation meets a basic standard of acceptability, but might not be outstanding.