a decent half of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent half of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant portion or amount of something, often implying that it is satisfactory or acceptable. Example: "After reviewing the project, I can say that a decent half of the proposals met our criteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

1.44pm GMT A decent half of football from Blackburn, ruined, obviously, by its final moments.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A quick question: Is Barack Obama running for reëlection on the basis of a decent, half-decent, or poor economy?

The New Yorker

By John Cassidy May 29 , 2012A quick question: Is Barack Obama running for reëlection on the basis of a decent, half-decent, or poor economy?

The New Yorker

Newcastle's slide down the table has been in contrast to a decent first half of the campaign which saw the club hit the heights of fifth in November.

BBC

After a decent first half of the year, it's a setback.

The New York Times

"I think we played a decent first half of basketball and then our energy, effort intensity whatever word you choose to use, just left the building," Carter said.

The New York Times - Sports

After a decent first half of the 2011 season (at the end of June, he had a 4 4 record with a 3.23 ERA), Kendrick was briefly demoted to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA), but did not make any starts there, as Moyer's season ended due to injury, causing Kendrick's recall.

Wikipedia

TFC remain a work in progress, so there was a general acceptance among media and fans that last weeks defeat in Vancouver was 'better than expected' as TFC played a decent first half, and some of the new players impressed.

The Guardian - Sport

Jim Lehrer or President Obama," tweeted Adam Nagourney, an old Washington hand who now heads the bureau in L.A. I thought that Obama had a decent first half an hour, much of which was centered on a discussion of Romney's tax plan, and whether it adds up.

The New Yorker

Brantley, who was having a decent first half, was knocked out of the game in the second quarter after he was sacked by Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

The New York Times - Sports

Martino hauled off the largely ineffectual Di María and replaced Higuaín, who had spurned a couple of decent half-chances around the hour mark, with Sergio Agüero – not a bad option to have off the bench.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decent half of", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes "decent" in that situation. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a decent half of" when the actual portion is small or insignificant. Overstating the 'decency' can mislead the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent half of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a quantity or portion. It modifies a noun to indicate that a significant and acceptable part is being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent half of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a satisfactory portion or amount. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a determiner phrase and is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonyms like "a satisfactory amount of" or "a reasonable portion of" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When employing this phrase, ensure the 'decency' is justifiable and avoid overstating the portion's significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory amount of

Directly states that the amount is good enough.

a significant part of

Emphasizes the importance of the portion within the larger context.

a reasonable portion of

Replaces "decent" with "reasonable", implying an acceptable quantity.

a fair share of

Emphasizes fairness and equality in the amount.

a goodly amount of

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic term for a substantial amount.

a considerable fraction of

Highlights the proportional aspect of the amount.

a respectable quantity of

Suggests that the amount is worthy of respect or attention.

a substantial segment of

Focuses on the portion as a part of a larger whole.

an appreciable measure of

Indicates that the amount is easily noticed or measured.

a noteworthy piece of

Highlights that the portion is significant or remarkable.

FAQs

How can I use "a decent half of" in a sentence?

You can use "a decent half of" to describe a significant portion or amount of something that is considered satisfactory. For example, "A decent half of the applicants were qualified for the position."

What phrases are similar to "a decent half of"?

Similar phrases include "a reasonable portion of", "a fair share of", or "a satisfactory amount of".

Is it always appropriate to use "a decent half of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a decent half of" might be considered informal in some contexts. Consider using more precise or formal alternatives like "a significant portion of" or "a considerable fraction of" in highly formal writing.

What does 'decent' imply when using the phrase "a decent half of"?

When using "a decent half of", 'decent' implies that the portion is not only a substantial amount but also of acceptable or satisfactory quality. It suggests a positive assessment of the amount.