a decent question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when acknowledging that a question posed is reasonable or worthy of consideration. Example: "I appreciate your input; that is indeed a decent question that deserves a thoughtful answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

(It's actually a decent question, as disingenuous as Trump was to pose it).

The New Yorker

"It's a decent question, and I think it's an unanswered question".

The New York Times

It's a decent question, but, when it comes down to it, not a very intriguing one, because she gives away the answer.

The New Yorker

Who will buy them is a decent question to ask.

TechCrunch

Why, is a decent question, especially given the simple fact that Microsoft's Office for iPad product is mostly knee-capped if you are not an Office 365 subscriber, and there are only a few million of those on the consumer side.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

-- the first words out of Tommy Lee Jones were, "I'll answer any decent question that you have".

The New York Times

A decent enough question, sure, but I also wondered if I didn't already know the answer: People would rather be making out.

Vice

A decent colloquial question-answer service on the Internet has been a long time coming.

The New York Times - Magazine

The journalist in me can't help but feel that two or three decent questions on asylum, tax and social welfare would have saved us an hour of to-ing and fro-ing.

The Guardian

Updated at 1.41pm BST 1.38pm BST Two decent questions from Lou Roper: 1) Am I alone in thinking that Klose's place as the all-time World Cup scorer is not a cause for celebration?

The Guardian - Sport

Privately her political opponents reckon she comes up with half decent questions.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decent question" when you want to acknowledge that a query is reasonable, thoughtful, or deserves consideration. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a decent question" too frequently in your writing. While it's a valid phrase, overuse can make your language sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "a fair question" or "a valid question" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent question" functions as a noun phrase where 'decent' modifies the noun 'question'. It qualifies the question, indicating that it is of acceptable quality or merit. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent question" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to acknowledge the validity or thoughtfulness of an inquiry. As Ludwig AI points out, this expression commonly appears in news and media contexts, denoting a neutral register. While not exceedingly frequent, its usage is well-supported by authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. For writers seeking variety, alternatives such as "a fair question" or "a valid question" offer similar connotations while enriching the vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a suitable question

Replaces 'decent' with 'suitable', indicating the question is appropriate for the situation.

a fair question

Substitutes 'decent' with 'fair', suggesting the question is unbiased and reasonable.

a proper question

Uses 'proper' instead of 'decent', implying the question adheres to standards of correctness.

a reasonable question

Replaces 'decent' with 'reasonable', highlighting the logical and justifiable nature of the question.

a good question

A simpler alternative, replacing 'decent' with 'good' to indicate the question's quality.

a valid question

Uses 'valid' instead of 'decent' to emphasize that the question is well-founded and legitimate.

a worthwhile question

Substitutes 'decent' with 'worthwhile', suggesting the question is valuable and deserving of attention.

an appropriate question

Replaces 'decent' with 'appropriate', indicating the question is fitting for the context.

a legitimate question

Uses 'legitimate' instead of 'decent' to highlight that the question is lawful or justifiable.

a pertinent question

Substitutes 'decent' with 'pertinent', suggesting the question is directly relevant to the matter at hand.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent question" to acknowledge that a question is reasonable and deserves consideration. For example, "That's "a decent question"; let's explore the possible answers."

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

You can use alternatives like "a good question", "a fair question", or "a valid question" depending on the context.

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

While "a decent question" is generally acceptable, in highly formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "a pertinent question" or "a relevant question" for added clarity and sophistication.

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

While both phrases are similar, "a decent question" often implies that the question is thoughtful or worthy of consideration, whereas "a good question" is a more general acknowledgment of the question's quality.