a relatively decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relatively decent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is fairly good or acceptable, but not outstanding, in comparison to other options. Example: "The restaurant offers a relatively decent selection of vegetarian dishes, which is a pleasant surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It was a relatively decent pay cut, but it was a great experience".

The New York Times - Sports

Nevertheless, he said the new finance minister was a "relatively decent man," with whom he could work.

The New York Times

Pulling back "would basically say that we've had a relatively decent economic outcome in terms of sustained improvement in growth and unemployment," Mr. Bernanke said.

The New York Times

Mahmadullah sweeps a leg-side delivery from Ashwin around the corner for four runs down to fine leg and eight off the over is a relatively decent return.

The Guardian - Sport

Class is not as important socially or culturally as it once was, and almost all levels of American society can lead a relatively decent quality of life.

The New York Times

Their penchant for the punt upfield rarely paid off and, while Papiss Cissé is a relatively decent physical target, his strength doesn't come in the air.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It will soon be to the rest of world what Bournemouth is to the UK: peripheral, with a mild climate, relatively decent standard of living and full of old people; a good place for budget holidays and a favourite venue for conferences.

The Guardian - Opinion

So when you get down to it, both right and left really do claim to hold the same ideal, a prosperous and relatively decent life for every human being on the planet.

Huffington Post

In the previous post, where I contrasted the views of the left of the political "Left" with those of the "Right" in terms of their differing views of human nature, I also pointed out that (unless they are perversely misanthropic) both right and left really do claim to hold the same goal: a prosperous and relatively decent life for every human being on the planet.

Huffington Post

A one-bedroom would rent anywhere from $1,800 to $2,100; a two-bedroom in relatively decent condition would rent for about $2,500, said Rick Rosa, an executive vice president of Prudential Douglas Elliman, who lives in the area.

The New York Times

The camera on the back is only 8 megapixels, but is relatively decent for a budget smartphone, only really struggling in low light.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a relatively decent" to describe something that is acceptable or satisfactory without being exceptional. It's useful when you want to acknowledge limitations while still conveying a positive assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "a relatively decent" when describing something truly excellent or outstanding. This phrase implies moderation, so reserve it for situations where the quality is merely adequate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relatively decent" functions as a pre-modifier to a noun, expressing a qualitative assessment. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase signals that something meets a basic standard of acceptability without being exceptional. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in describing pay cuts, economic outcomes, and even moral character.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a relatively decent" is a common and versatile expression used to describe something that meets a basic standard of acceptability or adequacy without being outstanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its tone is generally neutral, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase, as more formal alternatives like "a reasonably good" or "a fairly satisfactory" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Remember to avoid using it when describing something truly exceptional, as it implies moderation rather than excellence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonably good

Emphasizes the adequacy of something, suggesting it meets a certain standard without being outstanding. Replaces "decent" with "good" and "relatively" with "reasonably".

a fairly satisfactory

Indicates that something is acceptable and meets expectations, although it may not exceed them. Substitutes "decent" with "satisfactory" and "relatively" with "fairly".

a tolerably good

Suggests that something is good enough to be tolerated or accepted, implying a slightly lower standard. Replaces "relatively decent" with "tolerably good".

an acceptably fair

Implies something is fair to an acceptable degree. Replaces "decent" with "fair" and "relatively" with "acceptably".

a passably adequate

Indicates that something barely meets the required standard or is just sufficient. Substitutes "relatively decent" with "passably adequate".

a somewhat respectable

Suggests that something is worthy of respect to a certain extent. Replaces "decent" with "respectable" and "relatively" with "somewhat".

a moderately fine

Indicates that something is fine to a moderate degree. Replaces "decent" with "fine" and "relatively" with "moderately".

a respectably average

Implies that something is average but in a way that is worthy of respect. Replaces "decent" with "average" and adds "respectably".

a comfortably mediocre

Suggests that something is mediocre but in an acceptable or comfortable way. Replaces "decent" with "mediocre" and "relatively" with "comfortably".

an OK quality

A more informal way of saying something is acceptable but not great. Uses "OK" to replace "relatively decent".

FAQs

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

Use "a relatively decent" to describe something that is fairly good, but not outstanding. For example, "The hotel offered "a relatively decent breakfast", considering the price."

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

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "a reasonably good" or "a fairly satisfactory" instead of "a relatively decent."

What does "a relatively decent" imply about the quality of something?

"A relatively decent" implies that something meets a basic standard of acceptability without being particularly remarkable or exceptional. It suggests a moderate level of quality.

Is it appropriate to use "a relatively decent" in professional writing?

Yes, "a relatively decent" is suitable for professional writing when you need to convey that something is adequate or acceptable, but not outstanding. However, consider the specific tone and audience, as more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain contexts.