decent answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"decent answer" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used as an expression of approval to indicate something was a satisfactory response. Example: "What do you think of my cake?" "Decent answer!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It catches the celebrity and the publicist off-guard and you can get a halfway decent answer".

The New York Times

John Robinson This gentle series is ITV's answer to Countryfile – and a decent answer it is, too, featuring bucolic scenes held together by Ben Fogle's inimitable, plummy charm.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Writing this now, I can't even give a decent answer as to why I didn't at least get my daughter vaccinated against meningitis C (the B vaccine has not been licensed yet).

The Guardian - Opinion

Everyone asked the question, and I don't know about you, but I never really got a decent answer.

TechCrunch

(To be fair, ask most people what Bitcoin is and most won't give you a decent answer).

Vice

And I also get a decent answer.

British Journal of General Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I gave some decent answers that were edited out.

The Guardian - Music

I was going to respond yesterday to the various people who asked yesterday why we should bother live-blogging it, but - to be honest - it's taken me a while to come up with some decent answers.

The Guardian

I asked Dave some stupid questions and he gave some decent answers.

Vice

enough questions were asked to produce some decent answers, but nobody will ever call Bob De Niro longwinded... RD: Kirk and I had a meeting and he told me the story and what it was based on.

Huffington Post

In the absence of any half-decent answer to such questions the suspicion must remain that the literature in question was designed to stir dislike of Khan on the grounds that he is Muslim.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decent answer" when you want to express that a response is satisfactory but not necessarily exceptional. It implies an acceptable level of quality or completeness.

Common error

Avoid using "decent answer" in highly formal or professional settings where a more precise or sophisticated term like "satisfactory response" or "adequate explanation" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent answer" functions primarily as a noun phrase where "decent" modifies the noun "answer". It is used to describe the quality of a response or reply, indicating that it meets a satisfactory or acceptable standard. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and used in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decent answer" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe a response that is satisfactory, but not necessarily exceptional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used in various contexts, most frequently in news and media. While "decent answer" serves as a useful way to communicate that a response meets an acceptable standard, it is essential to consider the context. In formal settings, alternatives such as "satisfactory reply" or "adequate explanation" may be more appropriate. Remember to evaluate context and use the most precise language possible to communicate effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acceptable response

Replaces "decent" with "acceptable", focusing on the adequacy of the response.

satisfactory reply

Substitutes both words to highlight the satisfying nature of the response.

reasonable answer

Emphasizes the rationality and logic behind the response.

adequate explanation

Shifts from a simple answer to a more detailed explanation, maintaining the acceptable quality.

passable response

Indicates the response is just good enough, replacing "decent" with a more minimal term.

serviceable reply

Highlights the functionality of the response, suggesting it serves its purpose adequately.

competent answer

Suggests the response demonstrates a level of skill or competence.

fair response

Indicates the response is unbiased and reasonably good.

suitable answer

Focuses on the appropriateness of the response for the given context.

respectable response

Highlights the respectability of the response, suggesting it is well-considered.

FAQs

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

You can use "decent answer" to describe a response that is acceptable or satisfactory, such as, "The student provided a "decent answer" to the professor's question".

What can I say instead of "decent answer"?

You can use alternatives like "acceptable response", "satisfactory reply", or "reasonable answer" depending on the context.

Is "decent answer" formal or informal?

"Decent answer" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly informal. In more formal contexts, "satisfactory reply" or "adequate explanation" might be more suitable.

Which is correct, "decent answer" or "good answer"?

Both "decent answer" and "good answer" are grammatically correct, but "decent answer" implies a level of acceptability or adequacy, while "good answer" suggests a higher level of quality or insight. The choice depends on the specific context.