a decent idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"a decent idea" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is better than average or reasonable but not necessarily outstanding. For example, "Making a batch of brownies seemed like a decent idea for a family activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A decent idea, though.

The Guardian - Tech

A decent idea, poorly executed.

The Guardian - Sport

For them, this sounds like a decent idea.

The Economist

I hadn't had a decent idea in weeks.

The New Yorker

But Senesael, a Socialist, thought that the supertax was actually a decent idea.

The New Yorker

Plus my notebook, in case a decent idea ambushes me after turning out the light.

The New York Times - Books

Sometimes, a decent idea ends up being hard for the food chain to handle.

The New York Times

He said he thought it was a decent idea: "It works.

The New Yorker

Usually, by this time, you start having a decent idea of what's going to happen.

The New York Times - Sports

It's certainly a decent idea, but I'm not sure how winning.

The Guardian - Money

Based on exit polls from Election Day, we have a decent idea of how these scenarios would play out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When following up an idea with a description of its execution you can use phrases like, "It's certainly "a decent idea", but..." to introduce nuance to the idea.

Common error

While "a decent idea" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for stronger, more precise language such as "a compelling strategy" or "a viable solution" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent idea" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or direct object. It qualifies the noun "idea" with the adjective "decent", indicating a level of quality or acceptability. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent idea" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a thought, plan, or concept that is reasonably good but not necessarily outstanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news and media, with applications in more informal contexts as well. While suitable for everyday conversation, it is important to consider using stronger language in more formal settings. Remember that while something may be "a decent idea", its true value lies in its execution. Therefore, consider other options like "a reasonable concept" or "a pretty good plan" to give a bigger oomph!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable concept

Replaces "idea" with "concept" and "decent" with "reasonable", emphasizing the logical aspect.

a pretty good plan

Substitutes "decent" with "pretty good" and "idea" with "plan", making it slightly more informal and action-oriented.

a worthwhile notion

Replaces "decent" with "worthwhile" and "idea" with "notion", highlighting the value of the idea.

a sound proposal

Replaces "idea" with "proposal" and "decent" with "sound", suggesting a more formal and structured suggestion.

an acceptable suggestion

Substitutes "decent" with "acceptable" and "idea" with "suggestion", implying that the idea meets a basic requirement.

a viable solution

Changes "idea" to "solution" and replaces "decent" with "viable", focusing on the practicality of the idea.

a promising approach

Replaces "idea" with "approach" and "decent" with "promising", highlighting the potential of the idea.

a credible thought

Substitutes "decent" with "credible" and "idea" with "thought", focusing on believability and consideration.

a fair enough point

Replaces "idea" with "point" and "decent" with "fair enough", implying that the idea is adequate and justifiable.

a practical concept

Replaces "decent" with "practical" and maintains "concept", emphasizing the feasibility of the idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent idea" to describe a plan, suggestion, or concept that is reasonably good but not necessarily outstanding. For example, "Implementing a mentorship program was "a decent idea" to improve employee retention."

What are some alternatives to "a decent idea"?

Alternatives to "a decent idea" include "a reasonable concept", "a pretty good plan", or "a worthwhile notion". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a decent idea" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a decent idea" may be too informal for some formal writing contexts. In such cases, consider stronger alternatives like "a sound proposal" or "a viable solution".

What does it mean when someone says "that's a decent idea but..."?

When someone says "that's "a decent idea" but...", they generally acknowledge that the idea has some merit but also have reservations or concerns about its feasibility or effectiveness. It's often followed by a critique or suggestion for improvement.