a decent soup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent soup" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a soup that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "After a long day, I was craving a warm meal, so I made a pot of a decent soup to enjoy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's a decent soup".

The New York Times

And maybe a decent soup.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For more health-conscious appetites, the menu has a decent onion soup, a few seafood entrees and a half-dozen or so salads, including a version with pears and gorgonzola and another with sesame-crusted seared tuna.

The New York Times

My kindhearted friends poured the shepherd's purse they collected all day long, which could have made a decent dinner soup for their hungry families, into my basket.

The Guardian

The following list of ingredients will make a pretty decent vegetable soup.

WikiHow

Macesz Huszar With Central Europe's largest Jewish population, Budapest has no shortage of places to get a decent bowl of matzo ball soup.

The New York Times - Travel

200 also does a decent line in upmarket salads, soups and sandwiches.

The Guardian - Travel

And the handful of modest-looking restaurants in town can certainly serve up a decent bowl of lime and tortilla soup.

The New York Times

Under a green tent, a quiet line of grateful citizens waits for a decent plate of food, courtesy of one the few soup kitchens operating across the city.

BBC

Try some Cullen skink, which is smoked haddock soup, and eat at least one meat pie from a decent baker.

The Guardian

They have a decent bar you can go to without having to wander the streets, and there's a good soup kitchen – Soup in the City – just down the road.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a soup as "a decent soup", consider what specific qualities make it 'decent'. Is it the flavor, the ingredients, or the preparation? Being more specific enhances the description.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "decent" to describe the soup. While it conveys acceptability, it doesn't provide much detail. Balance it with specific adjectives (e.g., "a decent and hearty soup") for a richer portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent soup" functions as a noun phrase where "decent" is an adjective modifying the noun "soup". It describes the quality of the soup, indicating it's satisfactory or acceptable. Ludwig AI validates its use through examples where it describes an onion soup or a vegetable soup.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a decent soup" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a soup of satisfactory quality. Ludwig AI confirms its usage, showing it appears mostly in News & Media contexts. Although less common than alternatives, it serves well to express the idea that a soup meets a basic standard without being exceptional. When writing, you might want to be more specific to boost clarity, as using "decent" alone is vague. It is suitable for neutral or informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a palatable soup

Focuses on the soup being agreeable to the taste.

a satisfactory soup

Emphasizes that the soup meets the minimum requirements or expectations.

an acceptable soup

Indicates the soup is adequate but not necessarily exceptional.

a passable soup

Suggests the soup is just good enough.

a reasonably good soup

Highlights that the soup is better than average without being outstanding.

a fairly tasty soup

Highlights that the soup is reasonably flavored.

a not bad soup

An informal way of saying the soup is acceptable.

a standard soup

Indicates a basic, typical soup without any special qualities.

a common soup

Suggests that the soup is a normal one you would expect.

an ordinary soup

Emphasizes the soup's lack of distinction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent soup" to describe a soup that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality. For example, "After a long day, all I wanted was a bowl of "a decent soup"." It suggests the soup is neither outstanding nor terrible, but meets a basic standard.

What's a more descriptive alternative to "a decent soup"?

Instead of "a decent soup", you could use phrases like "a palatable soup", "a satisfactory soup", or "a reasonably good soup" depending on the specific quality you want to emphasize.

Is "a decent soup" formal or informal?

"A decent soup" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a satisfactory soup" or specifying the positive qualities of the soup in more detail.

What does "decent" really mean in the context of "a decent soup"?

In the context of "a decent soup", "decent" implies that the soup is of an acceptable standard. It means the soup is not exceptional but is good enough to be enjoyable or satisfying. It's a subjective assessment that suggests a middle ground between poor and excellent quality.