a decent livelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent livelihood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the means of earning a satisfactory income or living. Example: "Many people strive to find a decent livelihood that allows them to support their families and enjoy a good quality of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

A better question would be whether alternative development can be made to deliver a decent livelihood to ex-coca farmers.

The Economist

Where they are condemned to subordinate status, subjected to violence, deprived of an education and debarred from earning a decent livelihood, those families and communities will unravel.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even when they have control, communities need support when deciding how to most effectively use local resources, how to provide a decent livelihood for their people, and how to deal with illegal activities such as clandestine mining and poaching.

The Guardian

"I mean, given a choice if they could make a decent livelihood, I'm sure they wouldn't want this to be the option by which they earn money.

BBC

However, this freedom cannot be realized in the absence of other fundamental freedoms, such as the right to food, shelter, healthcare, education and a decent livelihood.

HuffPost

No wise man has any intention of destroying what is known as the "profit motive," because by the profit motive we mean the right by work to earn a decent livelihood for ourselves and our families.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In their own ways, the Occupy Movement and the Tea Party were reactions to the same thing: what seems like the death knell of the "American dream"—a decent middle class livelihood; job, house; financial security—after the collapse of the American economy of September 2008.

University of California, Berkeley

Ultimately, the thorny problem of sustaining both decent livelihoods and a livable planet won't be solved by buying better things.

The Guardian - Opinion

Remember, while effective job, entrepreneurship, and life skills training programs help prepare young people for decent livelihoods, it's a growing and vibrant economy--not the government acting alone--that drives job creation.

HuffPost

Humankind has never before had such resources, knowledge, and technology at its disposal yet it is a long way from translating those advances into decent livelihoods and dignified lives for all the world's people.

Harvard Business Review

There is no shortage of ways to move in the more sane direction of a food system that actually feeds everybody, provides decent livelihoods, and preserves ecological integrity.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for social or economic policies, use "a decent livelihood" to underscore the importance of fair compensation and opportunities for all.

Common error

While "a decent livelihood" is appropriate for formal writing and discussions about socio-economic issues, avoid using it in casual conversation; opt for simpler terms like "good job" or "steady income".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent livelihood" functions as a noun phrase, where "decent" modifies "livelihood". It typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting the desired outcome or goal of an action or policy. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

20%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a decent livelihood" refers to earning enough income to support oneself or one's family with dignity. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically correct and usable. Its usage is most frequent in contexts related to News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While often found in discussions about socio-economic issues, human rights, and economic development, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Alternatives such as "a reasonable standard of living", "a fair wage", and "economic self-sufficiency" can be used to convey similar meanings. Expert analysis suggests that the phrase is reliable and consistently used across various authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comfortable existence

Emphasizes having enough resources for basic needs and some comforts.

a reasonable standard of living

Focuses on achieving an acceptable quality of life through income.

a sustainable income

Highlights the ability to maintain an income over time.

a fair wage

Stresses the justice and equity of the compensation received for work.

a liveable wage

Focuses on earning enough to cover essential living expenses.

a sufficient means of support

Highlights having adequate resources to provide for oneself or one's family.

economic self-sufficiency

Emphasizes independence and the ability to support oneself financially.

financial independence

Highlights the freedom from needing external financial assistance.

a secure financial future

Focuses on long-term financial stability and well-being.

an adequate source of income

Stresses having a reliable and sufficient flow of money.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent livelihood" to describe the ability to earn enough money to support oneself and one's family. For example, "The new job training program aims to provide participants with the skills needed to secure "a decent livelihood"".

What are some alternatives to saying "a decent livelihood"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a reasonable income", "a fair wage", or "economic self-sufficiency".

Is it more appropriate to say "decent livelihood" or "good livelihood"?

"Decent livelihood" is generally more appropriate in formal and professional contexts, as it implies a standard of living that meets basic needs and allows for a dignified life. "Good livelihood" is less common and might sound somewhat informal. It's best to stick with "a decent livelihood" in most situations.

What does it mean to have "a decent livelihood"?

To have "a decent livelihood" means to have a way of earning money that provides enough income to cover essential needs like food, shelter, and clothing, while also allowing for some level of comfort and security. It implies having work that is fairly compensated and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth.