a decent facsimile of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent facsimile of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that closely resembles or imitates another item, often in terms of quality or appearance. Example: "The artist created a decent facsimile of the original painting, capturing its essence while adding a modern twist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There's a decent facsimile of Nobu's famed miso black cod.

Independent

Meanwhile, the cute, puerile pop confections that arrived in the late 1990's suddenly receded in 2002, as unvarnished sincerity -- or a decent facsimile of it -- came back into vogue.

The New York Times - Arts

The hardtop-only Renegade delivers a decent facsimile of that freedom with the optional My Sky, consisting of a pair of retractable-removable sunroof panels that allows rays and air to reach the front and rear seats.

BBC

Gears, the board game, feels like a decent facsimile of the iconic chainsaw-gunned shooter, although it's a lot less "bro" and more comparable, tonally, to a survival horror title.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The obvious first step would be working out how to build an avatar advanced enough to be a decent facsimile not only of a human being, but of a particular person.

The New Yorker

Humor, or a decent facsimile, may be made in an editing room -- serviceable visual punch lines can be created when unlikely images are juxtaposed -- but tragedy, the stuff of long takes and cultivated symbolism, can be invited only by a documentary series.

The New York Times - Arts

Not quite there yet, but that's okay, Maya Rudolph as Time Travelling Scott Joplin is actually a pretty decent facsimile in a pinch.

Huffington Post

With those tools, you can make a reasonable facsimile of a decent cup of coffee.

The New Yorker

[UPDATE: Commenter Tomas Rosa Bueno has posted a link with a facsimile of the original letter from Obama to Lula.

Huffington Post

Walter is a Prime — a computer program, providing a 3-D facsimile of a deceased person.

The New Yorker

What is a decent standard of living?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decent facsimile of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being imitated and the degree to which it resembles the original. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the comparison being made.

Common error

Avoid using "a decent facsimile of" when the imitation is clearly of poor quality or significantly deviates from the original. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent facsimile of" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, indicating that something is a reasonably good imitation or representation of something else. Ludwig AI affirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a decent facsimile of" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to describe something that is a reasonable, though not perfect, imitation of something else. Ludwig AI analysis confirms the expression's validity and usability in contemporary English writing. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves the purpose of making comparisons while acknowledging some level of imperfection. When employing this phrase, it is beneficial to ensure the context clearly defines the item being imitated to prevent ambiguity and maintain clarity for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a near replica of

Indicates the highest level of similarity and reproduction quality.

a reasonable likeness of

Focuses on visual similarity, suitable when the subject is appearance-related.

a virtual copy of

Highlights the reproduction has exactly the same main features as the original.

a passable imitation of

Implies the copy is acceptable but not exceptional, suggesting a lower quality.

a fair representation of

Suggests an accurate depiction, but allows for some level of deviation or interpretation.

a close approximation of

Highlights the nearly exact nature of the copy, emphasizing precision.

a rough equivalent of

Indicates a similarity in function or effect, rather than exact replication.

a loose interpretation of

Emphasizes creative adaptation rather than strict adherence to the original.

an approximate parallel to

Draws a comparison suggesting similar characteristics or patterns.

a working model of

Suggests the copy serves the same purpose as the original, even if simplified.

FAQs

How can "a decent facsimile of" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "a decent facsimile of" can be used to describe something that resembles another, though perhaps not perfectly. For instance, "The restaurant offered a decent facsimile of Italian cuisine."

What are some alternatives to "a decent facsimile of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a good imitation of", "a fair representation of", or "a reasonable likeness of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a decent facsimile of" and "an exact replica of"?

"A decent facsimile of" implies a reasonable resemblance, while "an exact replica of" suggests a perfect or near-perfect copy. The former allows for some deviation, while the latter does not.

When is it appropriate to use "a decent facsimile of"?

It is appropriate to use "a decent facsimile of" when describing something that closely resembles the original but is not necessarily identical or of the same quality. It acknowledges the imitation aspect without claiming perfection.