decent number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"decent number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an amount that is not too many or too few, but just right. For example, "We had a decent number of participants at the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They had a decent number of them on target.

The Guardian - Sport

"We've gotten some good participation from a decent number of agencies".

The Guardian

The house does attract a decent number of nonpagan, fully clothed and even pre-med students.

The New York Times

That meant all the eligible younger teachers and a decent number of the older ones.

The New Yorker

But Cruz, as it turns out, might get a decent number of them, too.

The New Yorker

Can Google reach a decent number of the remaining 95%, and take this technology mainstream?

The Guardian - Tech

Their quarrel was over Israel's failure to release a decent number of Palestinian prisoners.

The Economist

A decent number of photographs depict a woman who favored a look and style that connote lesbian identity.

Columbia University

Seinfeld was the first introduction to the world of Major League Baseball for a decent number of non-Americans.

The Guardian - Sport

Dewsbury, Halifax and Batley all benefited from the visit of a decent number of supporters from Wigan, Widnes and Castleford.

The Guardian - Sport

That means a decent number of residents who might receive coverage in another state don't in Texas.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decent number of", ensure the context makes it clear what would constitute an indecent or insufficient number. This provides a stronger sense of scale and relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "decent number of" in contexts where precision is crucial. Opt for specific figures or more descriptive adjectives when exactness is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is considered acceptable or adequate. It suggests that the amount is neither excessively large nor disappointingly small. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decent number of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a quantity that is acceptable or adequate, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a determiner phrase, serving to modify nouns by suggesting the amount is neither too large nor too small, meeting general expectations. Its usage is versatile across neutral to slightly informal contexts, finding frequent application in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business communications. While precise figures are better suited for scientific or highly formal contexts, "decent number of" offers a useful way to express approximate quantities effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Good number of

Replaces "decent" with "good", suggesting a satisfactory quantity.

Fair number of

Substitutes "decent" with "fair", implying an equitable amount.

Reasonable number of

Uses "reasonable" instead of "decent", indicating an amount that is logical or justifiable.

Adequate number of

Employs "adequate" in place of "decent", suggesting the amount is sufficient for a specific purpose.

Respectable number of

Replaces "decent" with "respectable", implying a quantity that is considerable or worthy of esteem.

Sufficient quantity of

Changes the structure to emphasize quantity rather than number, implying enough of something.

Appreciable amount of

Uses "appreciable amount" focusing on a quantity that is large enough to be noticed or considered important.

Considerable quantity of

Focuses on quantity instead of number implying that the amount is large enough to think about.

Sizeable amount of

The term is related to size, focusing on a significantly large portion.

Notable quantity of

The alternative underlines how big amount or quantity of something is.

FAQs

How can I use "decent number of" in a sentence?

You can use "decent number of" to indicate a quantity that is adequate or acceptable. For example, "We received a "decent number of" applications for the job opening".

What are some alternatives to "decent number of"?

Alternatives to "decent number of" include "good number of", "fair number of", or "reasonable number of" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "decent number of" and "large number of"?

"Decent number of" implies adequacy or acceptability, while "large number of" simply indicates a high quantity. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize sufficiency or sheer size.

When is it inappropriate to use "decent number of"?

It may be inappropriate to use "decent number of" when precise figures are necessary or in formal contexts where more specific language is preferred. Using a more precise term, like "sufficient number of", may be a better choice.