decent cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a reason or motivation that is considered morally acceptable or worthy of support. Example: "Many people donated to the charity because they believed it was a decent cause that would help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I go sometimes for business, sometimes for friends who are on the committees, sometimes because I think it's a decent cause, and sometimes it's purely social".

The New York Times

Bigger by far than his party affiliation, he embodied and fought for just about every decent cause of his era, whether that cause was popular (social insurance) or not (protesting the internment of Japanese Americans during the Second World War).

The New Yorker

When new methods came in a few years ago, the stated size of the epidemic shrank sharply and it became apparent that the annual rate of new infections had peaked in the late 1990s.Jaw jaw and war warEvery war has its propagandists and the money was for a decent cause.

The Economist

It's "Regrets Only," written by Paul Rudnick, and stars Christine Baranski as a society dame firing zingers and George Grizzard as a thinly disguised Bill Blass, who comes out of the closet, gallantly and even nobly, for a decent cause.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Self-interest is a decent enough cause, but Perowne can't feel, as the marchers themselves probably can, that they have an exclusive hold on moral discernment.

The New Yorker

The authors say the study will also help "investigate the relationship between condom failure and penile dimensions"—a decent enough cause.

Vice

Brand has said he would put these towards "what he considers to be diverse, just and decent causes", including the the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.

The Guardian

As readers will know, last Sunday I was accosted in one of my local pubs by a group of trade union, Labour, and Green Party-aligned activists posing as the champions of what some may perceive as decent causes.

Independent

This is expected, since identity by decent causes homozygosity to increase in ROH regions compared to non-ROH regions.

BMC Genomics

Decent effort.

BBC

Unfortunately, our lack of a decent map caused us to walk around in circles for about an hour until we gave in and wandered over to the stables where Silvia was teaching two children to ride.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decent cause", ensure the context clearly establishes the moral or ethical basis for considering it 'decent'. Avoid ambiguity by specifying who considers it decent and why.

Common error

Avoid using "decent cause" as a blanket term for any charitable activity. Be specific about the cause's merits to justify its description as 'decent'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent cause" functions as a noun phrase, where 'decent' modifies the noun 'cause'. It is typically used to describe a reason or aim that is considered morally acceptable or worthy of support. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decent cause" refers to a morally acceptable or support-worthy reason or aim. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively infrequent in occurrence, its neutral register allows it to be suitable across various contexts, primarily in news and media. For writers seeking alternatives, options such as ""worthy cause"" or ""noble cause"" offer similar connotations with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worthy cause

Emphasizes the merit and value of the cause.

noble cause

Suggests a high moral purpose and grandeur.

just cause

Highlights the fairness and righteousness of the cause.

good cause

A more general term indicating a beneficial purpose.

charitable endeavor

Focuses on the philanthropic aspect of the cause.

humanitarian effort

Specifies that the cause is aimed at improving human welfare.

philanthropic activity

Highlights the charitable nature and intention.

altruistic goal

Stresses selflessness and concern for others.

ethical undertaking

Focuses on the moral principles guiding the cause.

socially responsible initiative

Indicates a commitment to benefiting society.

FAQs

What does "decent cause" mean?

A "decent cause" is a reason or aim that is considered morally acceptable or worthy of support.

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

You can use "decent cause" to describe something that is ethical or beneficial, such as, "Many people donate to the organization because they consider it a "worthy cause"."

What can I say instead of "decent cause"?

Alternatives to "decent cause" include "worthy cause", "noble cause", or "just cause", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "decent cause" formal or informal?

"Decent cause" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but choosing a synonym like "ethical endeavor" might add a degree of formality.