a totally decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a totally decent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is satisfactory or acceptable in a casual or informal context. Example: "The movie was a totally decent way to spend the evening, even if it wasn't a blockbuster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Technology

Personal Description

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But he's a totally decent, honest person.

The Guardian - Books

He is a totally decent person, a real mensch; willing to discuss ideas but not a pushover".

The Guardian

He is a totally decent person, a real mensch; willing to discuss ideas but not a pushover". His lack of experience in the performing arts may raise eyebrows in the opera and ballet worlds.

The Guardian

If you can get past the thumb-button issue, this is a totally decent mouse.

TechCrunch

If that sounds like you, this is a totally decent portable RAID solution.

TechCrunch

Still, it's a totally decent backup laptop — and that price really can't be beat: $260 plus $15 for shipping.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Senator Kaine is an able and totally decent man, a man of strong faith.

Huffington Post

They chose Elias Zerhouni, a careful, responsible and totally decent man who helped the institutes to survive.

Genome Medicine

Luckily, almost everyone she encounters in Florida is totally decent and ordinary.

The New York Times - Books

As for the first two, I know both poly people and swingers that I consider totally decent and wonderful folks.

The Guardian - Opinion

'I'm not sure he is just the totally decent one in all of this,' Rylance suggested, now fully himself, more animate than hesitant.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a totally decent" in informal contexts to describe something that is satisfactory without being exceptional, such as "a totally decent meal" or "a totally decent movie".

Common error

While "totally" emphasizes the degree of decency, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or less sophisticated. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "completely", "thoroughly", or "perfectly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a totally decent" functions as a pre-modifier to a noun, typically describing a person, object, or experience. It emphasizes that the subject is adequately good or acceptable. This is supported by Ludwig examples, where it modifies nouns like "person", "mouse", and "laptop". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Technology

20%

Personal Description

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a totally decent" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys approval or satisfaction, indicating that something or someone meets a reasonable standard of acceptability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for describing objects, people, or experiences. While "totally" adds emphasis, overuse might reduce the sophistication of your writing; consider alternatives like "completely" or "thoroughly" for formal contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, and technology contexts, it strikes a balance between neutrality and informality, making it a reliable choice for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a perfectly decent

Emphasizes the acceptability with the addition of "perfectly", which suggests an absence of flaws.

a completely acceptable

Replaces "decent" with "acceptable", focusing on whether something meets the required standards.

a thoroughly decent

Uses "thoroughly" to intensify the quality of being decent, implying a complete and unquestionable goodness.

a reasonably good

Uses "reasonably good" to indicate a level of quality that is above average but not exceptional.

a fairly respectable

Substitutes "decent" with "respectable", highlighting the aspect of being worthy of admiration or esteem.

an entirely adequate

Uses "entirely adequate" to stress that something is sufficient and meets the needs without being outstanding.

quite a good

Replaces "totally decent" with "quite a good", indicating a positive but not overwhelming assessment.

genuinely nice

Shifts the focus to positive character qualities, emphasizing sincerity and kindness.

an absolutely fine

Replaces "decent" with "fine", suggesting something is acceptable and without problems.

a considerably fair

Uses "considerably fair" to suggest something is significantly just and equitable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a totally decent" to describe something or someone that is satisfactory and respectable, such as "He's a totally decent guy" or "The restaurant served a totally decent meal".

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

You can use alternatives like "a perfectly decent", "a completely acceptable", or "a reasonably good" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "totally" in formal writing?

While "totally" is acceptable in many contexts, it's generally considered informal. In more formal writing, consider using alternatives like "completely", "entirely", or "fully" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "a totally decent" and "a fairly decent"?

"A totally decent" implies a stronger affirmation of decency compared to "a fairly decent", which suggests a more moderate level of acceptability or goodness.