a perfectly decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a perfectly decent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is satisfactory or acceptable, often in a positive or reassuring manner. Example: "The restaurant may not be fancy, but it serves a perfectly decent meal at a reasonable price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Look, sorry, there's a perfectly decent explanation for this.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Infamous is a perfectly decent movie with many excellent touches.

The Guardian - Film

"It's a perfectly decent piece of work," Raskin says.

The New Yorker

Oddly enough, it produces a perfectly decent stubble without any attachments at all.

The New York Times

It's a perfectly decent, lively version, despite its complete lack of narrative coherence.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a perfectly decent sort of a name, but there's no pizazz, no razzle-dazzle.

The Guardian

I've met him and he seems like a perfectly decent man.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Maybe it'll be a perfectly decent piece of television in its own right.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

According to Time film critic Richard Corliss, there's a perfectly decent explanation for this.

The Guardian - Film

We are looking at a man who would make, or would have made, a perfectly decent peacetime president.

The New York Times - Books

"A Life," in a perfectly decent 1963 translation by Archibald Colquhoun (Pushkin Press; $18), has just been reprinted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a perfectly decent" when you want to convey a sense of understated approval or mild satisfaction, indicating something is more than just adequate but not necessarily outstanding. This can be useful in reviews or recommendations where you want to avoid hyperbole.

Common error

Avoid using "a perfectly decent" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or sophisticated adjective might be more appropriate. In such contexts, consider using terms like "satisfactory", "adequate", or "commendable" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a perfectly decent" functions primarily as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing its quality or acceptability. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. It suggests something is more than just adequate; it's pleasingly satisfactory without being exceptional.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a perfectly decent" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is satisfactory and acceptable, though not necessarily exceptional. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Its neutral register and mild endorsement make it a versatile choice for expressing understated approval. When considering alternatives, /s/quite+acceptable, /s/reasonably+good, and /s/fairly+satisfactory offer similar nuances. Remember, while the phrase is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal writing where more precise adjectives may be needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite acceptable

Indicates something meets the minimum requirements; less enthusiastic than "a perfectly decent".

reasonably good

Suggests an acceptable level of quality, but not necessarily exceptional.

fairly satisfactory

Implies something is adequate and fulfills expectations to a reasonable degree.

entirely adequate

Emphasizes that something meets the necessary requirements fully.

good enough

Suggests something is sufficient for a specific purpose, though perhaps not ideal.

passable

Indicates something is just acceptable, often with a hint of being mediocre.

serviceable

Implies that something is functional and adequate for its intended use.

tolerable

Suggests something is bearable or acceptable despite having negative aspects.

not bad

An understatement that indicates something is reasonably good, but without strong enthusiasm.

sufficiently adequate

Highlights that something meets the requirements to an acceptable degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "a perfectly decent" to describe something that is acceptable or satisfactory. For example: "The restaurant may not be fancy, but it serves "a perfectly decent meal" at a reasonable price."

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

You can use alternatives like "quite acceptable", "reasonably good", or "fairly satisfactory" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a perfectly decent" or "a very good"?

The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "A perfectly decent" suggests something is satisfactory and acceptable but not exceptional, while "a very good" indicates a higher level of quality or satisfaction.

What's the difference between "a perfectly decent" and "adequate"?

"Adequate" implies something meets the minimum requirements. "A perfectly decent" suggests that it exceeds the minimum requirements and is pleasingly satisfactory, but not outstanding. It has a slightly more positive connotation than /s/adequate.