a decent note

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent note" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a note that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality, often in contexts like music, writing, or communication. Example: "She left a decent note explaining her absence, which helped clarify the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

How may I direct your call?" A decent note of pathos to finish with as Jimmy summons the energy through his beaten-down tears to put on his best fake secretary voice and answer the phone.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

8.10am GMT The Toss - South Africa will bat "We feel that if we can post a decent total we'll start the game off on a decent note," says Graeme Smith as he wins the toss and bats.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was a speech explaining all of this – a decent character note for making sense of everything else.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But he was convincing and smooth, with a decent big note (which Idol audiences love).

Huffington Post

Jasper Goggins, label manager for Mad Decent, noted that artists still need to get their music in front of consumers.

Huffington Post

As for making sure that the experience translated to the Android platform, Satterfield says that feedback so far indicates they've done a decent job, and notes that in fact, the differences between how testing works on iOS vs. Android actually aren't all that great, at least based on initial impressions.

TechCrunch

They can hold a decent conversation, he noted, won't get pregnant on you, have learned a couple of tricks in the bedroom over time... and it's better to make an old woman happy than a young one miserable.

Huffington Post

It also lets you pick out email addresses, phone numbers, and other info, making it a decent app for keeping notes as well.

TechCrunch

Anyone looking for a glimpse into China's rich tradition of circus acts, wuxia martial arts and other elements of Chinese pop culture would find this a decent sort of Cliff Notes.

Huffington Post

In a photography-focused review by Digital Photography Review, the optical image stabilization system was praised for helping maintain good levels of exposure, and well-lit photos were found to have a decent level of detail, noting that its lens was "sharp pretty much all across the frame and free of chromatic aberrations".

Wikipedia

Maybe for the lying, it'd be a good idea to make note of a decent lie when you think of one.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decent note", ensure the context clarifies what makes the note 'decent' – is it the content, length, tone, or some other factor? Be specific if needed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a decent note" as a filler phrase without substantive meaning. Instead of vaguely describing something as 'decent', provide specific details about its qualities. For instance, instead of saying "He left a decent note", specify "He left a note explaining all the key points clearly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent note" functions as a noun phrase where "decent" modifies the noun "note". It typically acts as an object or complement within a sentence, denoting a satisfactory or acceptable piece of written communication. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent note" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a written message or record that meets a satisfactory standard. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not particularly formal or evocative, it serves to convey adequacy and acceptability in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and general media. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context adequately clarifies the basis for the 'decency' of the note. Alternatives such as ""a satisfactory message"" or ""an acceptable memorandum"" may be suitable depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory message

Replaces 'note' with 'message', focusing on the content being acceptable.

a passable communication

Substitutes 'decent' with 'passable', indicating the communication meets a minimum standard.

an acceptable memorandum

Replaces 'note' with 'memorandum', implying a formal written record.

a reasonable comment

Substitutes 'note' with 'comment', focusing on an expressed opinion or reaction.

a fair remark

Similar to 'reasonable comment' but with a slightly more casual tone.

an adequate annotation

Replaces 'note' with 'annotation', suggesting a written addition or explanation.

a competent observation

Substitutes 'note' with 'observation', highlighting an act of noticing or perceiving.

a sufficient record

Replaces 'note' with 'record', implying something documented for future reference.

a tolerable notification

Implies that the notification is just barely acceptable, with 'tolerable' replacing 'decent'.

a bearable jotting

Replaces both terms, presenting an informal yet marginally acceptable record.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent note" to describe a message or piece of writing that is satisfactory or acceptable. For example, "She left "a decent note" explaining her absence" or "The student wrote "a decent note" summarizing the key points of the lecture".

What are some alternatives to "a decent note"?

Some alternatives to "a decent note" include "a satisfactory message", "a passable communication", or "an acceptable memorandum", depending on the specific context and level of formality you wish to convey.

What does it mean to describe something as "a decent note"?

When something is described as "a decent note", it typically implies that the note is adequate or satisfactory for its intended purpose. It suggests that the note is of acceptable quality and fulfills its basic requirements without necessarily being exceptional.

Is there a difference between saying "a good note" and "a decent note"?

Yes, while both phrases suggest a positive quality, "a good note" usually implies something is more than just adequate – it is actually of high quality or particularly effective. "A decent note", on the other hand, simply means the note is acceptable or satisfactory without necessarily being outstanding.