at a decent pace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a decent pace" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as an adverbial phrase to indicate the speed of an action. For example: Jenny walked along the path at a decent pace, enjoying the fresh air.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Travel

Walking

Economy

TV & Radio

Lifestyle

Books

Science

Cricket

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Housing has been sizzling and consumers are spending at a decent pace," he added.

The New York Times

Manufacturers have been adding workers at a decent pace and I expected them to start hiring more slowly".

The New York Times

"He bowls at a decent pace but I felt like I could handle it all right," he said.

Independent

Against it, it was quite challenging at times but I pushed it through at a decent pace.

The Guardian - Sport

They are already moving at a decent pace, do high quality work and have shown an openness to new ideas, as long as they are sensible.

The New York Times

Even if it does not, bad loans are more likely to be recycled than repaired.In fact, Thailand may be growing at a decent pace.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

I set a decent pace.

The Guardian - Books

"I was never going to be express but I'm hopefully bowling at a decent enough pace and doing a bit with it.

BBC

I went around seven times, for a total of 22.4 miles, at a fairly decent pace, and my legs didn't hurt at all.

The New Yorker

With no money, no mobile, and no pay phone handy, I took off at a pretty decent pace, only to realize a couple minutes later that my left-coast ocean dependence turned me in the wrong direction.

TechCrunch

Economists expect to hear that the British economy grew at a pretty decent pace between July and September.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing economic growth or business performance, using "at a decent pace" implies sustainable and healthy expansion without being overly aggressive or unsustainable. Consider this balanced connotation when choosing the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "at a decent pace" when you actually mean "at a fast pace". "Decent" suggests moderation and sustainability, whereas "fast" implies high speed, potentially sacrificing other factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a decent pace" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates the speed or rate of the action, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a decent pace" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe the speed or rate at which something is progressing. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread use. It implies a balanced, sustainable, and acceptable rate of advancement, suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business reporting. While it is versatile, it's important not to confuse "decent" with "fast", as the former suggests moderation while the latter implies high speed. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express a similar meaning, focusing on speed, progress, or movement, such as "at a reasonable speed" and "making good headway".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a reasonable speed

Replaces "pace" with "speed", emphasizing the rate of movement.

at a moderate rate

Substitutes both "decent" and "pace" with "moderate" and "rate", respectively, conveying a sense of balance and control.

at a steady clip

Uses "steady clip" to suggest consistent and uninterrupted progress.

at a good speed

Replaces "decent" with "good", providing a more general positive connotation.

at a fair rate

Uses "fair" instead of "decent", implying a satisfactory level of progress.

making good headway

Shifts the focus to progress rather than speed, suggesting effective movement forward.

progressing satisfactorily

Replaces the entire phrase with an adverb describing the state of progress.

advancing steadily

Similar to progressing satisfactorily, focusing on consistent advancement.

at an acceptable speed

Replaces "decent" with "acceptable", indicating a satisfactory level, though perhaps not exceptional.

moving along nicely

Offers a more informal way to describe satisfactory progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "at a decent pace" to describe the speed or rate at which something is moving or progressing. For instance, "The economy is growing "at a decent pace" this year" or "She was walking "at a decent pace" to catch the bus".

What are some alternatives to saying "at a decent pace"?

Some alternatives include "at a reasonable speed", "at a moderate rate", or "making good headway", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "at a decent pace" or "at a fast pace"?

The choice depends on the context. "At a decent pace" implies a sustainable and moderate speed, whereas "at a fast pace" suggests a high speed, which may or may not be sustainable. Use "at a fast pace" when speed is prioritized over other factors.

What does "at a decent pace" imply about the rate of progress?

"At a decent pace" suggests that progress is neither too slow nor excessively fast. It implies a comfortable, sustainable, and acceptable rate of advancement, suitable for long-term goals rather than short-term bursts of speed.