decent proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a satisfactory or acceptable amount or size of something in relation to a whole. Example: "The project received a decent proportion of funding, allowing us to move forward with our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Ouya's mission: to persuade a decent proportion of these people that they a).

The Guardian - Tech

Like a decent proportion of penalty kicks, it seems, they will be missed.

The Guardian - Sport

We sent a decent proportion to Oxbridge, and I was one of them.

Independent

Nevertheless, a decent proportion of comments left on our politics articles come from those sympathetic to Ukip.

The Guardian

The incestuous element derives from the fact a decent proportion of R&A members will also be attached to Muirfield.

The Guardian - Sport

We all know stadium shows trade intimacy for spectacle, but there's no excuse for booking venues at which a decent proportion of the audience can barely see.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Make sure that the extension works for the property and assess whether the extra rooms are going to be of decent proportions".

Independent

Tells about the dependence on the horse by the sparrow and how, with the automobile, the sparrow population went down to decent proportions.

The New Yorker

Non-black students, teachers and other staff are to be found in decent proportions, and such institutions have been actively recruiting increasing numbers of non-black students since the 1980s.

The Guardian - Opinion

A third-generation art dealer, Ziegler closed his six-year-old Zurich gallery in March 2003, frustrated with having to pay rent for a space where he rarely spent much time and that, despite its decent proportions, failed to sate the sprawling ambitions of his artists.

Forbes

Ignoring MCODE, then COACH and DECAFF have both achieved decent proportions of their predicted complexes as significant.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decent proportion", ensure that the context clearly indicates what constitutes a 'decent' amount. Provide specific figures or benchmarks if possible to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "decent proportion" when you actually mean a significantly large or overwhelming amount. "Decent" implies adequacy or acceptability, not necessarily abundance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent proportion" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a satisfactory or acceptable amount of it. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is widely used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decent proportion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a satisfactory amount or share of something. Ludwig AI validates its widespread usage across various contexts, primarily in news, science, and business. While "decent proportion" offers a general sense of adequacy, it's important to consider the context and potentially use more precise terms if greater specificity is required. For alternative expressions, consider "reasonable amount" or "satisfactory share".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decent ratio

Replaces 'proportion' with 'ratio', implying a quantitative relationship between two amounts.

satisfactory proportion

Replaces 'decent' with 'satisfactory', indicating that the amount meets expectations.

decent representation

Emphasizes the idea of adequate inclusion or portrayal within a larger group.

sensible proportion

Substitutes 'decent' with 'sensible', suggesting a reasonable or practical amount.

decent majority

Specifically refers to a quantity that is more than half of the total.

correct proportion

Highlights the accuracy or appropriateness of the amount.

decent share

Highlights the aspect of receiving a fair or reasonable portion.

decent part

A more general term that doesn't necessarily imply a specific numerical relationship.

decent figure

Replaces 'proportion' with 'figure', referring to a numerical value.

decent number

Emphasizes the quantity or count of something, rather than its relationship to a whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "decent proportion" to describe a satisfactory amount or share of something. For example, "The project received a decent proportion of funding" or "A decent proportion of the students passed the exam."

What are some alternatives to "decent proportion"?

Some alternatives to "decent proportion" include "reasonable amount", "satisfactory share", or "significant portion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "decent proportion" a formal or informal expression?

"Decent proportion" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, you might opt for more precise terms like "significant fraction" or "acceptable percentage".

What does 'decent' really mean in the context of "decent proportion"?

In the context of "decent proportion", 'decent' implies that the amount is adequate, acceptable, or satisfactory. It suggests that the amount is neither excessively large nor undesirably small but meets a reasonable standard or expectation.