awfully decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully decent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is surprisingly good or kind, often in a somewhat ironic or humorous way. Example: "Despite his gruff exterior, he was awfully decent to everyone in the community, always lending a helping hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As for Garland, Stevens said that he was a "really fine judge and an awfully decent man" and that the president "couldn't have picked a better" nominee to fill Scalia's spot.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's awfully nice.

The New York Times - Arts

Why, he's awfully nice.

The New Yorker

The latest public finances highlight the fact that there is still an awfully long way to go in getting the public finances into decent shape".

The Guardian - Business

They have four children, ranging in age from 15 to 26. "The job market was awfully tight in 1971, and I was lucky to get a decent job anywhere," he said.

The New York Times

But thanks to a tight script, solid acting, decent production values, and genuinely likable protagonists, it's an awfully good Scooby-Doo movie.

Huffington Post

In reality it's clear who Noël Coward finds the more disgusting: the insipid Sibyl and Amanda's new husband, the decent but awfully dull Victor.

The Guardian

Awfully wrong".

The New York Times - Magazine

Awfully quick.

The New Yorker

Awfully good.

The New York Times - Sports

It was awfully high, but awfully lonesome.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully decent" to subtly express admiration or approval, especially when the subject's positive qualities are somewhat unexpected or understated. For example, "Despite his tough exterior, he was awfully decent to the new employees."

Common error

Avoid using "awfully decent" in highly formal or professional writing. The phrase's slightly informal tone might not be appropriate for conveying serious or critical information. Opt for more direct and formal alternatives like "remarkably kind" or "exceptionally generous" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully decent" functions as an intensifier (awfully) modifying an adjective (decent). As seen in the Ludwig examples, it emphasizes the unexpected or surprising nature of someone's goodness or kindness. This creates a nuanced and slightly understated expression of approval.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awfully decent" is a phrase used to express surprise or mild admiration for someone or something that is unexpectedly kind or good. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct. While not frequently used, it appears mostly in news and media contexts. When using "awfully decent", be mindful of the potentially informal tone and consider more direct alternatives like "remarkably kind" in professional writing. The source analysis reveals that the phrase is often found in reputable news sources, lending it credibility within a specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkably kind

Replaces "awfully" with "remarkably", emphasizing the degree of kindness in a more straightforward manner.

considerably kind

Indicates a substantial degree of kindness, maintaining a neutral tone.

exceptionally nice

Highlights the high degree of niceness, similar to "awfully decent" but slightly more common.

surprisingly good

Focuses on the unexpected positive quality, removing the implication of kindness.

particularly pleasant

Emphasizes the agreeable nature, suitable for describing situations or experiences.

uncommonly gracious

Highlights the unexpected level of grace, introducing a more formal tone.

quite agreeable

Indicates a satisfactory level of agreeableness or suitability.

genuinely good-hearted

Focuses on the sincere nature of the kindness, emphasizing the person's character.

impressively benevolent

Highlights the noteworthy level of benevolence, suitable for formal contexts.

singularly generous

Emphasizes the unique quality of the generosity, adding a touch of sophistication.

FAQs

What does "awfully decent" mean?

"Awfully decent" means surprisingly or unexpectedly kind and good. It's used to describe someone or something that is more pleasant or moral than anticipated.

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

You can use "awfully decent" to describe a person's unexpectedly good behavior, such as, "He was "awfully decent" to help me carry my groceries."

What are some alternatives to "awfully decent"?

Alternatives to "awfully decent" include "remarkably kind", "surprisingly good", or "exceptionally nice". Choose the best fit based on the specific context.

Is "awfully decent" formal or informal?

"Awfully decent" leans towards the informal side. While grammatically correct, its tone is more suitable for casual conversations than formal writing.