a decent score

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent score" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a score that is satisfactory or acceptable, often in the context of tests, games, or evaluations. Example: "After studying hard for the exam, I was pleased to receive a decent score that reflected my efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

BRANTLEY -- It's a decent score.

The New York Times

You're just trying to play fast, and you end up shooting a decent score.

The New York Times - Sports

Applicants are credit scored and you need a decent score to be accepted.

Independent

As well as victories, he could use a decent score over this weekend.

The New York Times - Sports

If the Cats kick a decent score I can't see Hawthorn matching it.

The Guardian - Sport

All in all it was a decent day, a decent score.

The Guardian - Sport

He needs to hold on here, because a decent score is beginning to go south.

The Guardian - Sport

And anything around even par this afternoon was a decent score".

The Guardian - Sport

But par would be a decent score for Mr. Obama, for the simple reason that he was ahead.

The New York Times

"The two needless run-outs hurt us in the middle, which cost us in terms of getting a decent score.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a decent score, for as bad as I felt out there," said Woods, the defending tournament champion.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating performance, use "a decent score" to acknowledge an outcome that is satisfactory without necessarily being exceptional. It sets realistic expectations and avoids overpraising mediocre results.

Common error

Avoid using "a decent score" when the achievement is actually high-performing. It can downplay the accomplishment and undermine the individual's effort. Instead, use stronger adjectives like "impressive" or "excellent."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent score" functions as a noun phrase, where "decent" modifies the noun "score". As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a level of achievement that is satisfactory or acceptable. The many examples highlight its versatility across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Sport

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent score" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to describe a satisfactory or acceptable outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It is most frequently found in news and sports contexts, indicating that performance has met a reasonable standard without necessarily being exceptional. When writing, remember that while it works well to set realistic expectations, use stronger adjectives if something is a truly high achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a respectable score

Replaces "decent" with "respectable", implying a score that is worthy of admiration or recognition.

a satisfactory score

Substitutes "decent" with "satisfactory", indicating a score that meets the minimum requirements or expectations.

an acceptable score

Uses "acceptable" instead of "decent", suggesting a score that is adequate or permissible.

a reasonable score

Replaces "decent" with "reasonable", indicating a score that is fair and not excessive.

a fair score

Substitutes "decent" with "fair", suggesting a score that is just and equitable.

a commendable score

Uses "commendable" instead of "decent", implying a score that is praiseworthy.

a tolerable score

Replaces "decent" with "tolerable", suggesting a score that is acceptable, although not ideal.

a passable score

Substitutes "decent" with "passable", indicating a score that is just good enough to pass.

an adequate score

Uses "adequate" instead of "decent", suggesting a score that is sufficient to meet a particular need or purpose.

a creditable score

Replaces "decent" with "creditable", implying a score that brings honor or praise.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent score" to describe a satisfactory or acceptable result. For instance, "Despite the challenging conditions, the team managed to achieve "a decent score"."

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

"A decent score" implies a level of performance that is adequate or satisfactory, while "a good score" suggests a higher level of achievement. If you are looking for synonyms or alternatives, you could use "a satisfactory score".

What can I say instead of "a decent score" in a formal setting?

In a formal setting, consider using phrases like "a respectable score" or "a creditable score" to convey a sense of achievement and competence.

When is it appropriate to use "a decent score"?

It's appropriate when the performance is neither exceptional nor poor, but rather falls within an acceptable range. Use it to acknowledge adequate performance without exaggeration or excessive praise.