as decent as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as decent as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of decency of one thing to another. Example: "Her behavior was as decent as one could expect in such a difficult situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I would love them to grow up in a world that's as healthy, as beautiful, as decent, as abundant as the one I grew up in".

Huffington Post

They are as decent as any one of us here.

The New Yorker

"I'm as decent as I'll ever be, I'm afraid.

The New Yorker

If I can ever write anything as decent as one of her stories, I'll let you know.

The Guardian - Books

What this franchise sometimes discovers when it fires coaches is that it can't lure anybody who's as decent as the guy it fired.

The Washington Post

The general verdict was that the manner of her leaving was as gracious, as firm and as decent as her 33-year reign.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

All as British as decent fair play.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Every Imogen strikes me as decent and thoughtful as I patiently go through the same questions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The poorest have been denied justice, as well as decent pay and conditions.

The Guardian

Good groundsmen would suddenly become as sought-after as decent tight-heads.

The Guardian - Sport

I've been thinking lately about poor Bob Graham, as decent a man as any who ever entered politics.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as decent as", ensure the comparison is clear and the items being compared are explicitly stated. For instance, "His actions were as decent as one could expect in the circumstances."

Common error

Avoid incomplete comparisons like "He is decent as his brother". The correct form is "He is as decent as his brother". Always include both 'as' to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as decent as" primarily functions as a comparative phrase, used to indicate that something possesses a similar level of decency to something else. Ludwig examples showcase its use in comparing behaviors, actions, or even abstract concepts like living conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as decent as" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative phrase, indicating a similar level of decency between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms that it's appropriate for various contexts. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, serving the purpose of evaluating and comparing the moral qualities or appropriateness of different entities. When writing with "as decent as", remember to maintain a clear comparison and avoid incomplete constructions. Consider alternatives like "as respectable as" or "as honorable as" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as decent as

Adds emphasis on the equality of decency.

as respectable as

Replaces "decent" with "respectable", emphasizing social standing and reputation.

as respectable as

Replaces decent with another expression that means acceptable to high society.

as honorable as

Replaces "decent" with "honorable", highlighting integrity and ethical conduct.

as good as

Uses a more general term "good", broadening the scope beyond just decency.

as upright as

Replaces "decent" with "upright", suggesting moral rectitude and integrity.

as virtuous as

Emphasizes moral excellence and righteousness.

comparable in decency to

Changes the structure to directly compare the degree of decency.

equally decent to

Shifts the focus to equality in decency rather than a direct comparison.

on par with respect to decency

Uses a formal expression to indicate the two subjects are at the same level in terms of decency.

FAQs

What does the phrase "as decent as" mean?

The phrase "as decent as" is used to compare the level of decency between two or more things. It indicates that something is being evaluated in terms of its moral quality, respectability, or appropriateness and is being found to be comparable to something else. For example, "His behavior was as decent as one could expect in such a difficult situation."

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

You can use "as decent as" to compare the decency of two subjects. For instance, you might say, "Her offer was "as generous as" it was unexpected", comparing the offer's generosity to its unexpectedness.

What are some alternatives to saying "as decent as"?

Alternatives to "as decent as" include phrases like "as good as", "as honorable as", or "equally decent to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "as decent as" or "decent like"?

"As decent as" is the grammatically correct and standard way to make a comparison. "Decent like" is not a standard or accepted phrase for comparison in formal English. Therefore, you should always use "as decent as" when making such a comparison.