decent evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"decent evidence" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means evidence that is satisfactory, reliable, or reasonable. Example: The prosecution presented decent evidence to prove the defendant's guilt.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Sure, there might be, as the health service bluntly surmises, no decent evidence of any effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

Aside from the sheer lack of decent evidence that this law will achieve anything, I have two big worries about Jersey's decision.

The Guardian

The idea may be fashionable, particularly in higher education, but there is no decent evidence to support the existence of "learning styles".

The Guardian

Right now, there's clear polling evidence that Rubio's policy foray on immigration has hurt him with G.O.P. voters, and decent evidence from polls and anecdotes that Cruz's spotlight-grab has helped him lay the groundwork for a '16 run.

The New York Times

An extensive trawl of the literature was done for John Hutton at the DTI by the pro-market economist DeAnne Julius only three years ago, but even she failed to find any decent evidence that contracting out works as a general proposition.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I think there's decent evidence they are doing what hippos do elsewhere," says Fortelius.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If the billions that have been thrown at this programme had been invested in providing teachers with decent, evidence-based training which is "on-the-job", then standards would have sky-rocketed and we would be vying with the best education systems in the world, such as those in Finland and Singapore.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hopefully, she says, the students will learn enough that when they are deployed overseas, they'll have a decent, evidence-based understanding of the cultural attitudes they're working with.

Science Magazine

Even in such cases, where risk assessments are supported by decent empirical evidence, it can be hard to make decisions on the basis of statistical probability.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a similar vein, we cannot afford to forget the MMR vaccine debacle, where fears that the vaccine could cause autism were widely asserted, despite there being not an iota of decent scientific evidence to support this.

The Guardian

But there is a decent amount of evidence to suggest that the initial reports were true, that Rubio is not on Romney's short list.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "decent evidence", ensure it is properly contextualized to support your argument effectively. Clearly explain the relevance and significance of the evidence to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "decent evidence" as conclusive proof. Recognize its limitations and acknowledge potential counterarguments to maintain credibility and objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent evidence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "decent" modifies the noun "evidence". It describes the quality or sufficiency of the evidence presented. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decent evidence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, indicating satisfactory or reasonable proof. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While not as strong as "conclusive evidence", it signifies an acceptable level of support for a claim. When using this phrase, ensure the evidence is properly contextualized and avoid overstating its strength. Alternatives like "reasonable proof" or "satisfactory evidence" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific requirements of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable proof

Focuses on the rationality and acceptability of the evidence.

satisfactory evidence

Highlights the sufficiency and acceptability of the evidence.

reliable evidence

Emphasizes the trustworthiness and dependability of the evidence.

substantial proof

Suggests a significant amount and weight of the evidence.

credible evidence

Highlights the believability and plausibility of the evidence.

acceptable evidence

Emphasizes that the evidence meets the required standards.

adequate proof

Focuses on the sufficiency of the evidence to support a claim.

sound evidence

Highlights the quality and validity of the evidence.

legitimate evidence

Emphasizes the lawfulness and authenticity of the evidence.

convincing proof

Focuses on the ability of the evidence to persuade or convince.

FAQs

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

You can use "decent evidence" to indicate that there is satisfactory or reasonable proof to support a claim. For example, "The prosecution presented "decent evidence" to prove the defendant's guilt."

What can I say instead of "decent evidence"?

You can use alternatives like "reasonable proof", "satisfactory evidence", or "reliable evidence" depending on the specific context.

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

Both ""decent evidence"" and "good evidence" are correct, but "decent evidence" often implies that the evidence is adequate or satisfactory, while "good evidence" suggests a higher quality or strength of evidence.

What's the difference between "decent evidence" and "conclusive evidence"?

"Decent evidence" suggests the presence of reasonably compelling support, while "conclusive evidence" implies irrefutable proof that leaves no room for doubt or alternative explanations.