decent school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent school" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a school that meets a satisfactory standard or quality, often in a general or informal context. Example: "After researching several options, we decided to enroll our child in a decent school that offers a good balance of academics and extracurricular activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

This is indeed good news for the people of Aweil East and especially the children who will be able to study in a decent school environment with permanent classrooms and sanitary facilities," said Mr. John Makom Yel, Head teacher of Amar-Jal primary School.

Unicef

A decent school environment matters.

The Guardian

Bri*: You want to go to a decent school.

The New Yorker

"Ethan could study for the SAT, earn high scores, and get a scholarship at a decent school".

The New Yorker

I like knowing that people went to at least a decent school and whether they did well in school.

The New York Times

I want to set up a trust fund, so that your boy can go to a decent school".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The problem is that it also focuses us on a small minority of bad kids while dismissing the thousands of decent, school-attending, ambitious teenagers in this country.

The Guardian - Opinion

And decent schools?

The New York Times

Perfectly decent schools have been labelled failures.

The Economist

Above all, however, like all India, it needs more decent schools.

The Economist

Tens of millions of Mexicans lack decent schools, decent work and the hope of a decent future for their children.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decent school", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. While it generally means satisfactory, alternatives like "good", "respectable", or "quality" can offer more precise connotations depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "decent school" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, specify what makes the school satisfactory, such as "decent school with strong STEM programs" or "decent school in a safe neighborhood".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent school" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "decent" modifies the noun "school". Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, as demonstrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decent school" is a commonly used term to describe an educational institution that meets a satisfactory standard. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various sources, particularly in news and media. While "decent school" serves as a general descriptor, it is beneficial to consider more specific alternatives such as "good school", "respectable school", or "quality school" to more precisely convey the intended meaning. When writing, avoid overusing "decent" as a generic term and instead, specify the attributes that make the school satisfactory. Understanding the context and purpose helps in choosing the most appropriate and impactful phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

good school

Replaces "decent" with a more general term for acceptable quality.

respectable school

Emphasizes the school's reputation and adherence to standards.

adequate school

Focuses on the school meeting the minimum required standards.

satisfactory school

Highlights that the school meets expectations without necessarily excelling.

quality school

Indicates a high level of educational provision and resources.

suitable school

Suggests the school is appropriate for a particular student's needs.

reasonable school

Implies a school that is fair and acceptable in its practices.

fair school

Indicates impartiality and justice in the school's treatment of students.

acceptable school

Highlights that the school is permissible or satisfactory to a given standard.

serviceable school

Suggests that the school is functional and meets basic requirements.

FAQs

What does "decent school" mean?

A "decent school" typically refers to a school that meets a satisfactory standard of education, facilities, and overall environment. It's a general term indicating that the school is adequate and acceptable.

What can I say instead of "decent school"?

You can use alternatives like "good school", "respectable school", "adequate school", or "quality school" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "good school" or "decent school"?

Both "good school" and "decent school" are acceptable, but "good school" generally implies a higher standard. "Decent school" suggests that the school is satisfactory without necessarily being exceptional.

How important is finding a "decent school" when moving to a new area?

For families with children, finding a "decent school" is often a high priority. It can affect property values, community demographics, and, most importantly, the educational opportunities available to their children.