decent skills

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent skills" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's abilities or competencies that are satisfactory or acceptable, but not exceptional. Example: "She has decent skills in graphic design, which allows her to contribute effectively to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Grade: 4 Luke Sassano A big guy, with good speed and decent skills, but his rookie pedigree is still showing.

The New York Times

We must prioritise education, a lifelong national education service for decent skills and opportunities, abolishing student fees, restoring grants and funding adult skills training.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not that they're a star player, but they have decent skills, and they will get you the ball and then be where you'd expect to put it back to them.

The New York Times

Georgie Kean is an ambitious young Islington welterweight with decent skills, and he reckoned a move across the Thames to Adam Booth's camp was what he needed after only three pro fights.

The Guardian - Sport

I do have a royalty account, some decent skills and, apparently, a lot of human capital.

Huffington Post

Once I got decent skills in that field, I started experimenting, learning by doing and creating real projects that turned into my current career.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This has been perfectly acceptable bowling from Zimbabwe, so far, decent skill, variation and control in general let down by poor catching and the too-frequent no balls.

The Guardian - Sport

always look for friends that have decent skill with an instrument and time for the band.

WikiHow

Ten years ago you needed fairly decent computer skills to get a blog off the ground.

Independent

They will, hopefully, be clear when you are walking them, but decent navigation skills are essential.

The Guardian - Travel

He hired guys that were really good in the wood-working area and have some decent people skills and brought them into sales.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities, use "decent skills" to indicate they are competent but not necessarily exceptional. For example, "He has "decent skills" in programming, allowing him to handle basic tasks effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "decent skills" when referring to someone with advanced or expert abilities. Instead, opt for terms like "excellent skills" or "mastery" to accurately reflect their proficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent skills" functions as a descriptive term, specifically an adjective-noun combination. It qualifies the noun "skills", indicating the level or quality of those skills. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

16%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decent skills" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe someone's abilities that are satisfactory but not exceptional. Ludwig AI validates its appropriateness for conveying competence without implying excellence. While "good skills" suggests general positivity, "decent skills" specifies an acceptable level of performance. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as wiki articles, indicating its general applicability across various writing contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the skill level and avoid overstating abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suitable skills

Emphasizes appropriateness for a specific purpose or situation.

respectable skills

Highlights the social acceptability or esteem associated with the skill level.

adequate skills

Focuses on the sufficiency of the skills to meet a certain requirement or standard.

reasonable skills

Implies fairness or moderation in the level of skill.

fair skills

Similar to 'reasonable' but with a slightly weaker connotation.

satisfactory skills

Directly indicates that the skills meet a required level of satisfaction.

competent skills

Highlights the ability to perform tasks effectively.

capable skills

Focuses on the potential or inherent ability to perform.

serviceable skills

Highlights the utility and practical application of the skills.

passable skills

Suggests that the skills are just good enough to get by.

FAQs

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

You can use "decent skills" to describe someone who is competent but not exceptional in a particular area. For example: "She has "decent skills" in project management."

What is a good alternative to "decent skills"?

Alternatives include "adequate skills", "reasonable skills", or "satisfactory skills" depending on the specific context.

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

"Good skills" is more general and positive, while "decent skills" implies a satisfactory but not outstanding level of ability. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to have "decent skills"?

Having "decent skills" means you possess a level of competence that is acceptable or satisfactory. It suggests you can perform tasks adequately but might not excel compared to others with more experience or training.