at a decent level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a decent level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a satisfactory or acceptable standard of performance or quality in various contexts, such as skills, knowledge, or abilities. Example: "Her language skills are at a decent level, allowing her to communicate effectively with native speakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"The thing is playing at a decent level.

The New York Times - Sports

He's devolving the political risk of trying to keep social care functioning at a decent level".

Independent

All we're saying is: Why can't these people live at a decent level?

The New York Times

"I'd give up all of this just to have played at a decent level".

The Guardian - Sport

I went to university to get my degree, though I chose Stirling because it gave me the opportunity to carry on playing tennis at a decent level.

Independent

As a result, few Russian players regularly performed at a decent level, while those who did largely lost all motivation to improve because they were spoiled.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"It would be very difficult to go out there and perform at even a decent level," Wright said.

The New York Times

"You've got to be able to provide a decent level of service at a reasonable price in a well-maintained system, and they're all interconnected".

The New York Times

(See "Ryanair's Business Model Then and Now"). The result is a business model that enables Ryanair to offer a decent level of service at a low cost without radically lowering customers' willingness to pay for its tickets.

Harvard Business Review

Apart from a decent level of progress at Birmingham, Bruce's main qualification would appear to be his North-East birthplace and if they are serious about establishing themselves as a European power Newcastle need to replace Robson with someone with similarly broad experience.

The Guardian - Sport

"They have a decent level of downforce and a decent-looking front wing.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a decent level", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes 'decent' for the specific situation. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at a decent level" without providing specific context. Vague usage weakens the statement. Instead, quantify or qualify the level for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a decent level" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It indicates the degree or extent to which something is performed or exists. Ludwig AI examples show this phrase describing performance standards, quality, and skill levels.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a decent level" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that meets a satisfactory or acceptable standard. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples reveals that the phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, followed by science and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context to clarify what constitutes a 'decent' level in the given situation. While specifying quantifiable or qualitative details will enhance clarity. Overall, "at a decent level" serves as a versatile tool for conveying a reasonable degree of quality or performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a reasonable standard

Replaces "level" with "standard", suggesting a comparable degree of acceptability.

at a satisfactory grade

Substitutes "decent" with "satisfactory" and "level" with "grade", implying an acceptable but not exceptional quality.

at an acceptable threshold

Replaces "decent level" with "acceptable threshold", indicating a minimum level of acceptance.

at a respectable standard

Uses "respectable" to convey a similar meaning to "decent", suggesting a level worthy of regard.

at an adequate quality

Employs "adequate" instead of "decent", emphasizing sufficiency rather than high quality.

at a moderate capacity

Replaces the phrase with emphasis on capacity that is moderate, implying neither high nor low.

at a fair competence

Replace the phrase with emphasis on skill, it indicates an average or acceptable skill level.

at a tolerable rate

Replaces the phrase with emphasis on rate that is tolerable, implying a level that can be endured but is not necessarily ideal.

at an appreciable magnitude

Substitutes the phrase to highlight a magnitude that is noticeable or significant.

at a passable performance

Replaces the entire phrase to indicate a performance that is just good enough or barely acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "at a decent level" in a sentence?

You can use "at a decent level" to describe a satisfactory or acceptable standard of performance, quality, or ability. For example, "Her language skills are "at a decent level", allowing her to communicate effectively."

What are some alternatives to "at a decent level"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "at a reasonable standard", "at a satisfactory grade", or "at an acceptable threshold", depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific than to say something is "at a decent level"?

Yes, being specific is generally better. While ""at a decent level"" is acceptable, providing quantifiable or qualitative details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Which is correct, "at a decent level" or "on a decent level"?

"At a decent level" is the correct and more common phrasing. "On a decent level" is less idiomatic and may sound awkward in most contexts.