decent order

USAGE SUMMARY

"decent order" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing an orderly situation, such as a room that has been tidied up, or when referring to an orderly government system. For example, you might say "After the civil war, the country is slowly beginning to restore a decent order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Where there is decent order, like the U.A.E., Jordan or Kurdistan, encourage it to gradually become more open and constitutional.

The New York Times

Mr. Kubovy, who commutes several times a week from the East Village, where he lives with his wife and daughter, found the troupe's paperwork in decent order, although the deficit last year ran to nearly $100,000.

The New York Times - Arts

But they also have, in much greater numbers, people whose names are largely unknown outside their offices but who essentially make a newspaper work: those who set the agenda, plan and devise, knock unruly copy into decent order, or, as leader writers, furnish pieces of an authority matching the best of their columnists', yet have no name attached.

The Guardian

cause when you're teetotal, when you're teetotal, you've always got a rotten feeling that everybody's your boss". He goes on to say, struggling to get the words out in decent order, that what the audience sees before them is "a representive, a represent-ti-tave, a representative" of the working man, who has been deputed - "and not only deputed but asked" - to speak on his behalf.

The Guardian - Books

If you are determined to proceed, let the exercise be performed in decent order.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Egyptians need reassuring that a decent new order is in the offing.

The Economist

All of us have to believe that we're decent in order to sleep at night".

The New Yorker

We find ourselves in the role of guardian and defender of a just social system and a decent civil order.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If I had to bet on one system being in decent working order a generation from now, it would be ours, not theirs.

The New York Times - Books

But it is imperilled as never before and unless robust action is taken soon – preferably tomorrow – it will be extinct before England can find a decent middle order.

Independent

Its hero, Jean Dominique, embodies the fragile, perpetual hope that Haiti, so long tormented by foreign meddlers and domestic dictators, might someday nurture a just and decent political order.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decent order" to describe a state where things are organized and functioning at an acceptable level. It implies a basic level of quality and arrangement, suitable for everyday contexts.

Common error

While "decent order" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing where more precise terms like "well-organized", "systematic", or "structured" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent order" functions as a noun phrase, where "decent" modifies the noun "order". As Ludwig AI shows, it describes a state of affairs that is acceptably organized or managed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decent order" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a state of acceptable organization or management. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although its usage is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "decent order" serves to communicate that a situation is reasonably structured, though perhaps not optimally. Alternative phrases such as "reasonable order" or "acceptable arrangement" can provide similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. When using "decent order", consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable order

Replaces "decent" with "reasonable", suggesting a focus on logical or practical arrangement.

acceptable order

Substitutes "decent" with "acceptable", implying a standard that meets minimum requirements.

satisfactory order

Replaces "decent" with "satisfactory", indicating a level that meets expectations.

suitable arrangement

Changes both words to focus on the appropriateness of the arrangement.

fair arrangement

Changes both words to describe an arrangement that is balanced and just.

proper sequence

Alters the phrase to emphasize the correct or conventional order of elements.

orderly fashion

Modifies the phrase to an adverbial form, focusing on the manner of being orderly.

orderly manner

Modifies the phrase to describe the way something is done with order.

respectable system

Changes the phrase to focus on a system that is worthy of respect and in good order.

humane order

Shifts the focus to an order that is characterized by compassion and humaneness.

FAQs

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

You can use "decent order" to describe a situation where things are reasonably organized. For example, "The new government is trying to establish a "decent order" after years of chaos."

What's a more formal alternative to "decent order"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "well-organized system", "structured environment", or "systematic approach" instead of "decent order".

Is "decent order" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "decent order" might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and scholarly terms depending on the context.

What is the difference between "decent order" and "good order"?

"Good order" typically implies a higher standard of organization and functionality than "decent order". /s/Good+order suggests everything is working well and as expected, while /s/decent+order indicates a minimally acceptable level of organization.