a decent point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a decent point' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that has merit or is well thought out. For example, "Your proposal makes a decent point about the need for reorganization in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Japes aside, there's undoubtedly a decent point being made here.

The Guardian - Opinion

I like your lateral thinking though, it's a decent point.

The Guardian - Sport

And without a decent point guard to deliver the ball, Stoudemire gets few easy chances.

The New York Times - Sports

Advantage Djokovic - but Tsonga constructs a decent point at last, and smashes home a winner for deuce.

The Guardian - Sport

The Stoke manager added: "We'll look back at the end of the season and think it was a decent point".

The Guardian - Sport

Neither prevailed, and for the Red Bulls that will go down as a decent point on the road.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"I know in the past, we've been here and we've had a decent points lead, and you're still worried about every move you make — the track bar adjustment, is it the right one, this and that," Johnson said earlier this week.

The New York Times

But for the Airpanel's $999 price you can buy a notebook with a fast processor, lots of memory, a DVD drive, a big screen, a decent pointing device and an ancient technology known as a "keyboard".

Forbes

McLaren are targeting a decent points finish after two difficult races on the high-speed tracks of Spa and Monza, where the inefficiency of the Honda engine's hybrid system leaves the car more than 200bhp down on the best for a large part of the longest straights.

BBC

The Quakes got a decent enough point on the road against the Rapids, but with the arrival of Chivas this weekend, they're not going to have many better chances to break their winless start to the year.

The Guardian - Sport

He does, however, make a pretty decent point, "Finding out in 140 characters what a stranger has to say about you is like a mathematical equation without an established value of 'x'.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decent point" to acknowledge a valid or reasonable argument or idea presented by someone. It's a good way to show you're listening and considering other perspectives.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "a decent point" in your writing or speech. Variety in your phrasing makes your communication more engaging and nuanced. Use synonyms like "valid argument" or "reasonable idea" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent point" functions as an acknowledgment of a valid or reasonable argument or idea. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is used to recognize the merit of a statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a decent point" is a common and grammatically correct way to acknowledge a reasonable or valid argument. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and BBC. While versatile, it's advisable to vary your language by using alternatives such as "a valid argument" or "a reasonable idea" to maintain reader engagement. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, although extremely formal contexts may warrant a more sophisticated alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid argument

Focuses on the argument's logical soundness.

a reasonable idea

Highlights the practicality and sensibility of the idea.

a fair observation

Emphasizes impartiality and accuracy.

a sound proposition

Implies that the proposition is well-founded and reliable.

a cogent remark

Highlights the clarity and persuasiveness of the remark.

a telling comment

Suggests the comment reveals something important.

a worthwhile consideration

Focuses on the value of considering the matter.

a substantive argument

Emphasizes the argument's depth and importance.

a defensible position

Indicates that the position can be justified and maintained.

a tenable stance

Implies that the stance is reasonable and supportable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent point" to acknowledge someone's argument or idea as valid or reasonable. For example, "She made "a decent point" about the budget needing more oversight".

What can I say instead of "a decent point"?

You can use alternatives like "a valid argument", "a reasonable idea", or "a fair observation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a decent point" in formal writing?

Yes, "a decent point" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when acknowledging a valid idea or argument. However, in very formal contexts, you may prefer alternatives like "a valid argument" or "a sound proposition".

What's the difference between "a decent point" and "a good point"?

While both phrases acknowledge the validity of an idea, "a decent point" suggests it's reasonably sound or acceptable, whereas "a good point" implies it's particularly insightful or strong. The choice depends on the degree of merit you want to convey.