decent trade-off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent trade-off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a compromise or balance between two options, where both sides have acceptable benefits and drawbacks. Example: "While the new policy may limit some freedoms, it offers a decent trade-off in terms of increased security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Three wickets before lunch might have been a decent trade-off in the circumstances, but four was one too many.

The Guardian - Sport

Its battery lasts just a day, but it does charge fast – which some will consider a decent trade-off.

The Guardian - Tech

The 32-entry UTLB configuration provides a decent trade-off for resource-constrained or speed-critical hardware designs while the 16-entry configuration poses unsatisfactory performance.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

However, these works could not make a decent trade-off between security and energy consumption and were not suitable for the strategic mobile scenario of MANETs.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

That isn't factoring in any vacation time, vacation pay, retirement or health benefits,  but someone interested in flexibility might think that's a decent trade-off.

TechCrunch

A lot of researches were done in the past but the most significant contributions were intrusion detection system (IDS) techniques [3 5] and trust-based managements [6 12], but fewer of the protocols made a decent trade-off between security and performance if users were in the strategic mobile scenario of MANETs.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Those were decent trade-offs, but they took place in the early nineteen-thirties, and by the sixties the odds of a good building being replaced by its equal were slim.

The New Yorker

This illustrates that the simple approach may yield a good approximation and that it is not always necessary to perform tedious calculations to achieve a decent parameter-performance trade-off.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The result is quickly transcribed speech divided by speaker, delivered quickly and with decent accuracy (there's always a trade-off between turnaround time and how the process is).

TechCrunch

Most had accepted a decades-long trade-off: stability, security and a decent standard of living in return for not openly criticising the government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Therefore, the trade-off should be well adjusted for achieving a decent endurance performance.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decent trade-off" when you want to convey that a compromise, while not perfect, is reasonably beneficial to all parties involved. For example, "Accepting a slightly lower salary for more flexible working hours can be a "decent trade-off" for many employees".

Common error

Avoid using "decent trade-off" when the benefits are heavily skewed to one side. Ensure there's a genuine sense of balanced advantage, or the term will appear disingenuous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent trade-off" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing a compromise or exchange where both sides gain something of value while also incurring some cost or disadvantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes an acceptable balance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decent trade-off" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe a compromise where the advantages and disadvantages are reasonably balanced. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that there is a genuine sense of balanced advantage to avoid appearing disingenuous. Alternatives include "reasonable compromise" and "acceptable exchange". The source quality is generally high, suggesting that the phrase is used in reputable publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reasonable compromise

Emphasizes the fairness and acceptability of the agreement.

Acceptable exchange

Highlights the giving and receiving aspect of the arrangement.

Fair bargain

Focuses on the equitable nature of the deal or negotiation.

Equitable settlement

Implies a just and balanced resolution to a dispute or negotiation.

Satisfactory arrangement

Highlights the agreement meets the necessary requirements or expectations.

Tolerable compromise

Suggests that the compromise is acceptable, even if not ideal.

Appropriate balance

Focuses on the equilibrium achieved between conflicting factors.

Suitable concession

Emphasizes the act of giving something up to reach an agreement.

Acceptable sacrifice

Highlights the element of giving up something valuable for a greater benefit.

Workable solution

Focuses on the practicality and effectiveness of the resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "decent trade-off" in a sentence?

You can use "decent trade-off" to describe a compromise where the advantages and disadvantages are reasonably balanced. For instance, "Investing in renewable energy involves a cost, but it's a "decent trade-off" considering the environmental benefits".

What's a good alternative to "decent trade-off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reasonable compromise", "acceptable exchange", or "fair bargain" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it okay to use "decent trade-off" in formal writing?

Yes, "decent trade-off" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider the specific tone and audience. In some highly formal contexts, a phrase like "acceptable compromise" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "decent trade-off" and "necessary evil"?

"Decent trade-off" implies a balanced exchange of benefits and drawbacks. "Necessary evil", on the other hand, refers to something unpleasant or undesirable that is tolerated for a greater good. The former suggests a negotiated agreement, while the latter implies reluctant acceptance.