decent explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an explanation that is satisfactory or acceptable, but not necessarily exceptional. Example: "After reviewing the report, I found that it provided a decent explanation of the project's objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

(As if that's a decent explanation for anything).

The New York Times - Books

Look, sorry, there's a perfectly decent explanation for this.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That wasn't actually a decent explanation at all, was it?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

THE DOCTOR Well, as long as there's a decent explanation, that's good enough for me.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

According to Time film critic Richard Corliss, there's a perfectly decent explanation for this.

The Guardian - Film

A decent explanation has universal reach, he reckons, and the quest for explanations is what makes people human.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Mr Deutsch argues that decent explanations inform moral philosophy, political philosophy and even aesthetics.

The Economist

A copy of the Radio Times so you can write some decent explanations with the TV listings - Mike Evans 20.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Kennedy's explanation is that the decent voters of Hampshire were repelled by the "saloon-bar" opportunism that prompted Mr Hague's recent tough speeches on asylum seekers and crime.

The Economist

Considering the most probable explanation of identity by decent, the presence of the c.693+304G>A PKLR SNP in these three breeds presents an interesting conundrum regarding its origin.

BMC Veterinary Research

But there is a growing sense that those explanations remain excuses rather than decent reasons.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose "decent explanation" when you want to indicate that an explanation is satisfactory or acceptable, but not necessarily exceptional or groundbreaking.

Common error

Avoid using "decent explanation" when the situation requires a thorough, detailed, or groundbreaking explanation. "Decent" implies adequacy, not excellence. If a more robust explanation is needed, opt for terms like "comprehensive account" or "thorough analysis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent explanation" functions as a noun phrase, where "decent" modifies the noun "explanation". It describes the quality of the explanation being provided. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decent explanation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that conveys an adequate or satisfactory explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While it's a versatile phrase, writers should be mindful of the context and ensure it appropriately reflects the quality of the explanation. Alternatives such as "reasonable justification" or "satisfactory rationale" might be more suitable in certain situations, particularly in formal writing. Remember to avoid overstating the quality of the explanation; "decent" implies adequacy, not excellence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable justification

Replaces "explanation" with "justification", implying a more formal defense of an action or belief and alters "decent" with "reasonable".

satisfactory rationale

Substitutes "explanation" with "rationale", suggesting a more reasoned and logical basis and alters "decent" with "satisfactory".

acceptable account

Uses "account" instead of "explanation", referring to a descriptive report or story and alters "decent" with "acceptable".

plausible clarification

Replaces "explanation" with "clarification", focusing on making something clearer and alters "decent" with "plausible".

valid interpretation

Changes "explanation" to "interpretation", implying a particular understanding or perspective and alters "decent" with "valid".

credible defense

Replaces "explanation" with "defense", implying a justification against criticism or challenge and alters "decent" with "credible".

sound alibi

Substitutes "explanation" with "alibi", focusing on providing an excuse or justification for absence or wrongdoing and alters "decent" with "sound".

adequate response

Uses "response" instead of "explanation", referring to a reply or reaction, and alters "decent" with "adequate".

convincing story

Changes "explanation" to "story", implying a narrative or account, and alters "decent" with "convincing".

serviceable justification

Replaces "explanation" with "justification", implying a more formal defense of an action or belief, and "decent" with "serviceable" suggesting that it works well enough for the purpose.

FAQs

What does "decent explanation" mean?

A "decent explanation" means an explanation that is adequate, satisfactory, or acceptable, though not necessarily outstanding or exceptional. It implies that the explanation meets a basic standard of quality or clarity.

What can I say instead of "decent explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "reasonable justification", "satisfactory rationale", or "acceptable account" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "decent explanation"?

It's appropriate to use "decent explanation" when you want to convey that an explanation is good enough or meets the minimum requirements for clarity and understanding, without necessarily being exceptional or groundbreaking.

Is "decent explanation" formal or informal?

"Decent explanation" is generally considered neutral in formality. It is suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts, but may not be appropriate for highly formal or academic writing, where more precise terms might be preferred.