a decent result

USAGE SUMMARY

'a decent result' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a satisfactory outcome, or a result that is better than average. For example: "After months of hard work, the team achieved a decent result in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Quarters is a decent result," Federer said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Quarters is a decent result," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

But £408m, down from £494m, was a decent result.

The Guardian - Business

United, too, may consider this a decent result.

The Guardian - Sport

Although that would be a decent result for Mr. Santorum, it wouldn't be a great one.

The New York Times

"A decent result for Labour would be 30%," says John Curtice of Strathclyde University.

The Economist

At advertising giant WPP, a one-fifth rebellion counts as a decent result.

The Guardian - Business

A draw would have been a decent result in the circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think it's a decent result for us, considering we were all a bit knackered," said Ederson.

The Guardian - Sport

"When you're 3-1 down against United, to win the game, I think it's a decent result," Pearson says.

The Guardian - Sport

They open this weekend against Ospreys and I think they are capable of getting a decent result there.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decent result" when you want to convey that an outcome is satisfactory, acceptable, or better than expected, especially in situations where expectations were not particularly high.

Common error

Avoid using "a decent result" when the outcome is truly exceptional or outstanding; consider stronger terms like "a resounding success" or "a remarkable achievement" to accurately reflect the level of accomplishment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent result" functions as a noun phrase, where "decent" modifies the noun "result". It describes the quality or standard of an outcome. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sport

38%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a decent result" is a common and acceptable way to describe a satisfactory or acceptable outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While grammatically sound and widely understood, its usage is most prevalent in news, sports, and business reporting. When a more formal or precise description is required, consider using alternative phrases like "a satisfactory outcome" or "a reasonable achievement". Be mindful not to use this phrase when the outcome is truly exceptional, as it may understate the level of accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory outcome

Emphasizes the fulfillment of expectations or requirements.

an acceptable performance

Focuses on the level of execution or achievement.

a reasonable achievement

Highlights the attainability and justification of the outcome.

a fair accomplishment

Suggests impartiality and deservedness in the result.

a commendable effort

Focuses on the praiseworthiness of the attempt.

a passable outcome

Indicates just enough to be considered acceptable.

a tolerable achievement

Implies that the result is barely acceptable but still endurable.

a respectable showing

Focuses on the outward appearance and reputation of the result.

an adequate conclusion

Emphasizes the sufficiency of the end result.

an okay performance

More informal, suggesting a moderate level of satisfaction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent result" to describe a satisfactory outcome, such as, "Despite the challenges, the team achieved "a decent result" in the competition."

What's a more formal alternative to "a decent result"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a satisfactory outcome", "a reasonable achievement", or "an acceptable performance" instead of "a decent result".

Is "a decent result" appropriate for describing a major success?

While "a decent result" indicates satisfaction, it may not be strong enough to describe a major success. In such cases, consider using phrases like "a resounding success" or "a remarkable achievement".

How does "a decent result" differ from "a good result"?

"A good result" generally implies a positive outcome, whereas "a decent result" suggests an outcome that is satisfactory or acceptable, possibly in light of mitigating circumstances. "Decent" can imply a level of acceptance rather than strong approval.