decent summary

USAGE SUMMARY

"decent summary" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to provide a brief and generally accurate summary of a larger topic or body of work. For example, "The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and the United Kingdom fought from 1812 to 1815. In summary, it was a conflict with few clear victors but which ultimately provided the foundation for peace between the two countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

(Decent summary here).

The New York Times

A decent summary of the (mostly) lunkheaded (mostly) negative reactions to Neil Young's new album.

The New Yorker

The parliamentary website has a pretty decent summary of the legislative position, including Monday's debate.

The Guardian

"Drive" is a decent summary of the anti-Taylorist school of thinking.

The Economist

Still, even without speaking Italian, you can glean an idea of what is going on, and it contains a decent summary of the day's events on its homepage.

The New York Times - Travel

The name is a decent summary of its content.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

There, without recrimination or excuse, is a decent coach's summary of the contest.

The New York Times - Sports

In summary, England have something decent to bowl to now and Australia carry a little bit of pressure to extend this winning streak.

The Guardian - Sport

In summary, Brand 2 had a decent campaign.

Huffington Post

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Vice

"Decent season," offered the captain, Andrew Gale, in a pithy Twitter summary.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering a "decent summary", ensure it covers all key points without getting bogged down in excessive detail.

Common error

Avoid making a "decent summary" so brief that it omits crucial information or context, leading to misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent summary" primarily functions as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "summary". It indicates the quality or standard of the summary being presented, suggesting it is reasonably good or acceptable. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decent summary" is a phrase used to describe an overview that is reasonably good or adequate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, as it appears in diverse contexts. While not the strongest praise, it conveys that the summary is satisfactory and reliable. Its usage leans towards neutral register and it's more commonly found in news and media. Consider using alternatives like "adequate synopsis" or "fair recap" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

good summary

Replaces "decent" with a more common positive adjective.

suitable summary

Replaces "decent" with an adjective that indicates appropriateness.

adequate synopsis

Changes the noun to a synonym to "summary" and the adjective to a synonym of "decent".

competent summary

Replaces "decent" with a word that emphasizes the skill involved.

acceptable summary

Focuses on the idea that the summary is adequate or satisfactory.

reasonable overview

Substitutes both the adjective and noun with synonyms.

respectable summary

Shifts the focus towards the credibility of the summary.

fair recap

Replaces both words with alternatives that convey a similar sense of adequacy and brevity.

serviceable summary

The word choice offers a subtly different tone, implying functionality over quality.

passable summary

This alternative suggests the summary barely meets requirements.

FAQs

What does "decent summary" mean?

A "decent summary" refers to an overview that is reasonably good or adequate, providing a satisfactory but not necessarily outstanding account of something.

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

You might say, "The article provides a "decent summary" of the key economic indicators" or "For a "decent summary" of the book's plot, check the back cover".

What are some alternatives to "decent summary"?

You can use alternatives such as "adequate synopsis", "reasonable overview", or "fair recap" depending on the context.

Is a "decent summary" the same as a "good summary"?

While both are positive, a "good summary" implies higher quality, whereas a "decent summary" suggests it's satisfactory or acceptable. A "decent summary" is not necessarily the "best summary", but it gets the job done.