a decent source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent source of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that provides a satisfactory or acceptable amount of a particular resource or information. Example: "The library is a decent source of information for my research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Braising steak At last, a decent source of protein.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some say he's only being kept because he represents a decent source of merchandising revenue for BBC Worldwide.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It may also be that since Britons can rely on the television news to be a decent source of news, newspapers are free to be adopt more partisan approaches or indulge in tabloid excesses.

The New York Times

One of the development goals set by the United Nations at the millennium was to halve the proportion of people without basic sanitation and a decent source of fresh water by 2015.

The Economist

"Sailors on long sea voyages used to get scurvy, because they ate mainly starches from grain, which contained no vitamin C. Potatoes are a decent source of vitamin C, although they are not high in it.

BBC

Like this one, where I had to wander miles from my ship to find a decent source of plutonium, in order to take off again.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

John Gruber of Daring Fireball backed this up, saying he heard something similar from a decent source a few months ago.

TechCrunch

However, other decent sources of lycopene include guavas, watermelon, grapefruit, papaya, sweet red peppers, red cabbage, asparagus, carrots and mangoes.

WikiHow

But a lot of it was decent, and a source of income for family-run local businesses.

Vice

Incredibly, it's been nearly 10 years since Will Young won Pop Idol, since which he's become a reliable source of decent chart pop.

The Guardian - Music

What do you serve it with (baguette? buttered noodles?) and can anyone recommend a source of decent, good-value riesling?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a decent source of", ensure that the source is indeed reliable and provides sufficient quantity or quality of what is being sought. Avoid exaggeration.

Common error

Be careful not to oversell the quality of the source. If the source is merely adequate, avoid using stronger terms like 'excellent' or 'primary' when "a decent source of" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent source of" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies something as an acceptable or satisfactory origin or provider of a particular resource or quality. Ludwig shows examples in contexts ranging from protein sources to news outlets.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a decent source of" is a useful and grammatically sound expression for indicating that something provides an acceptable or satisfactory amount of a particular resource or information. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard English grammar. While not as common as other similar phrases, it is still frequently used in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Wiki sources. Alternatives include "a reliable source of" or "an adequate supply of". When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the source is, in fact, reliable and not to overstate its quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a satisfactory provider of

Substitutes 'source' with 'provider,' focusing on the act of supplying something adequately.

a reasonable origin of

Replaces 'decent' with 'reasonable,' suggesting an acceptable but not necessarily outstanding origin.

an adequate supply of

Changes the structure to emphasize the sufficiency of the supply rather than the origin.

a suitable origin for

Replaces 'decent' with 'suitable,' meaning that it is right or appropriate for a particular purpose or situation.

a respectable resource for

Uses 'respectable' instead of 'decent,' implying a higher level of regard or esteem.

a sound basis for

Highlights the quality of being a reliable or solid foundation.

a fairly good foundation for

Shifts the focus to the underlying support or basis that something provides.

a sufficient wellspring of

Replaces 'source' with the more evocative 'wellspring,' suggesting an abundant and continuous supply.

a passable generator of

Indicates that something produces an acceptable, though not necessarily excellent, output.

a tolerable fountain of

Expresses the idea of an acceptable origin but with less enthusiasm than "a decent source of".

FAQs

How can I use "a decent source of" in a sentence?

You can use "a decent source of" to describe something that provides a satisfactory amount of something. For example, "The library is "a decent source of" information for my research."

What are some alternatives to "a decent source of"?

Some alternatives include "a reliable source of", "a good provider of", or "an adequate supply of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a decent source of" or "a good source of"?

Both are acceptable, but "a decent source of" implies a satisfactory or acceptable level, while "a good source of" suggests a higher quality. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the quality of the source.

Can "a decent source of" be used for both tangible and intangible things?

Yes, "a decent source of" can be used for both. For example, "Potatoes are "a decent source of" vitamin C" (tangible) and "The news is "a decent source of" information" (intangible).