decent reference

USAGE SUMMARY

"decent reference" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, but it typically refers to a positive recommendation or evaluation of someone or something. Example: "I can provide a decent reference for my former colleague's work ethic and professionalism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There's quite a lot here that you'll be able to find if you have a halfway decent reference shelf.

The Guardian - Books

Not exactly a decent reference but enough that the majority will recognise.

BBC

For those who have not seen Davies in action, a decent reference point might be Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

You can also realise that if we are moving into a gig-economy then decent references, using your networks to help those who've worked hard for you, and transparency around length of contract is important, decent behaviour.

The Guardian

There are many bad or even mediocre nannies out there who will meet you armed with years of experience and decent references.

Huffington Post

Expect to spend anywhere from 600.00 to 1500.00 for an experienced wedding DJ with good equipment and decent references.

WikiHow

Still, he keeps a trace of the fun and fantasy going with his reference to "the decent inn of death", an image that satisfyingly suggests moderate pleasures and eternal rest may not be incompatible.

The Guardian - Books

"Really sensational," Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung exclaimed after the 1-0 over 1. FC Köln on Saturday, no so much in reference to the decent, unspectacular performance as such but Eintracht doing so inexplicably well this season.

The Guardian - Sport

But alas, although I had a glowing reference, wrote a decent essay, and am actually a playwright whose work has been performed (attracting an encouraging review in the Guardian).

The Guardian - Opinion

In the same paper, Charles Spencer made a similarly snide comment about "actresses complain[ing] that there aren't nearly enough decent parts for women", and referenced "Dr Johnson's notorious line" comparing women's preaching to a "dog's walking on his hind legs", before remarking in apparent surprise that "in fact some of the acting is excellent".

Independent

As shown in Figure 2c, LSSC links each of its codewords to a unique Hamming distance away from any reference codeword in a decent manner.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting a "decent reference", be specific about the qualities or skills you need validated to ensure the reference is relevant and impactful.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on generic "decent references" that lack specific details. Instead, seek references that provide concrete examples and insights into the subject's capabilities and character.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent reference" functions as an attributive adjective modifying a noun. It serves to qualify the noun "reference", indicating that it is of acceptable or satisfactory quality. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decent reference" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a satisfactory or acceptable recommendation. While Ludwig AI validates its usability, it's relatively rare in occurrence, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "satisfactory endorsement" and "reasonable recommendation". When using this phrase, ensure that the reference is specific and provides concrete examples to avoid relying on generic statements. While grammatically sound, a "decent reference" may not be as impactful as a strong one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respectable character reference

Adds "character" to specify the type of reference and replaces "decent" with "respectable", indicating a reference worthy of esteem.

reasonable recommendation

Substitutes "reference" with "recommendation" and "decent" with "reasonable", suggesting a logical and justifiable endorsement.

fair assessment

Fair substitutes decent while assessment substitute reference meaning a considered judgement or evaluation

satisfactory endorsement

Replaces "reference" with a synonym implying approval and replaces "decent" with "satisfactory", indicating an acceptable but not outstanding endorsement.

sound appraisal

Replaces reference with appraisal meaning an evaluation of something and decent with sound, meaning generally correct or right

adequate credential

Replaces "reference" with "credential" and "decent" with "adequate", focusing on the sufficiency of the qualification.

credible validation

Credible replaces decent highlighting the believability of something, while validation replaces reference making it an act of proving valid

competent testimonial

Substitutes "reference" with "testimonial" and "decent" with "competent", highlighting the adequacy of the provided statement.

acceptable citation

Uses "citation" instead of "reference", implying a formal acknowledgment, and retains a similar level of quality with "acceptable".

passable commendation

Replaces "reference" with "commendation" and "decent" with "passable", indicating a minimally acceptable level of praise.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The candidate provided a "decent reference" from their previous employer, highlighting their reliability." or "For those who have not seen Davies in action, a "decent reference" point might be Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace."

What is a good substitute for "decent reference"?

Alternatives include "satisfactory endorsement", "reasonable recommendation", or "respectable character reference", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

What makes a reference "decent"?

A "decent reference" typically implies that the reference is satisfactory and meets a basic standard of quality. It suggests that the reference is adequate and provides a positive, though perhaps not outstanding, assessment.

Is it better to have a "decent reference" or a strong reference?

A strong reference is always preferable to a "decent reference". While a "decent reference" indicates basic competence and reliability, a strong reference provides specific examples and enthusiastic endorsements that can significantly enhance one's credibility.