decent trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a trial or test that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality or performance. Example: "The new software underwent a decent trial period before its official launch, allowing the team to identify and fix any issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Now seems on a fairer mark and won a decent trial race at Fairyhouse last time.

The Guardian - Sport

"This was an eminently defendable case, and I don't think it would have been a capital case if he'd had decent trial counsel" from the start, said Sandra L. Babcock, a Northwestern University law professor representing Mr. Leal on behalf of the Mexican government.

The New York Times

How then can a promising unorthodox treatment get a decent trial?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Correlation is not causation, and no decent trials have yet been done to show whether DHA supplements do in fact reduce addiction.

The Economist

Plenty of anti-virus stuff, some games, decent trials of popular software, and other doo-dads are good for those who want this stuff.

TechCrunch

After enough trial runs, typically 10,000 or more, it makes a decent fist of recognising that class of objects in unlabelled images.This still requires human input, though.

The Economist

Given there are bonus seconds on offer in the early stages, a decent time trial on Saturday could put Cavendish in contention for the yellow jersey.

The Guardian - Sport

"Richie is leading the team but the course suits me," says Thomas, "and sometimes, like in Algarve, you take your chance and go for a stage win then that puts you up there overall, and I can ride a decent time trial.

The Guardian - Sport

The 28-year-old added: "Alex has had a good year with a few decent time trial results and he has a decent chance of getting in the top 10.

BBC

Luxembourg's Andy Schleck, who in 2011 finished second for the third consecutive year after failing to follow up some superb riding in the Alps with a decent time trial performance, has conceded the 2012 Tour will not play to his strengths, but says he is focusing on the mountains.

BBC

"But I was surprised to find there's actually a decent amount of clinical trial evidence supporting the use of cannabis for symptoms like neuropathic pain and muscle spasm.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decent trial" to convey a sense of adequacy or acceptability, rather than excellence. If you wish to emphasize a higher quality, consider stronger adjectives like "thorough" or "rigorous".

Common error

Avoid using "decent trial" when the trial is exceptionally well-conducted or produces groundbreaking results. The term suggests a satisfactory but not outstanding level of quality. If the trial exceeds expectations, use terms that reflect its superior nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent trial" functions as an adjective-noun construction, where "decent" modifies the noun "trial". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It serves to describe a trial or test that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality or performance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decent trial" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a trial that is satisfactory or acceptable. As confirmed by Ludwig, the expression is correct and finds application across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. While its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, more formal settings might benefit from more precise or stronger alternatives. The phrase effectively communicates that a trial meets a basic standard without necessarily implying exceptional quality. When using it, consider specifying which aspects of the trial are deemed "decent" to provide clarity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfactory test

Replaces "decent" with "satisfactory", focusing on the acceptable quality of the trial.

acceptable experiment

Substitutes "trial" with "experiment", suggesting a more scientific or investigative approach while maintaining a similar level of quality.

reasonable assessment

Replaces "trial" with "assessment", indicating an evaluation that is fair and adequate.

adequate examination

Changes "decent" to "adequate", emphasizing that the examination meets the minimum requirements.

fair hearing

Implies a trial that is just and impartial, especially in a legal or formal setting.

sufficient testing

Emphasizes that the testing meets the necessary requirements, with "sufficient" replacing "decent".

competent evaluation

Focuses on the skill and ability with which the evaluation is conducted, suggesting a reliable trial.

serviceable procedure

Highlights the functionality and utility of the trial, indicating it serves its purpose adequately.

respectable audition

Replaces "trial" with "audition", indicating a performance-based assessment that is worthy of respect.

passable attempt

Suggests that the trial was just good enough to pass or be acceptable, indicating a minimal level of success.

FAQs

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

You can use "decent trial" to describe a test or examination that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality. For example: "The new software underwent a decent trial period before its official launch."

What are some alternatives to "decent trial"?

Alternatives include "satisfactory test", "acceptable experiment", or "reasonable assessment", depending on the specific context.

Is "decent trial" formal or informal?

"Decent trial" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "satisfactory" or "adequate".

What does "decent" mean in the context of "decent trial"?

In "decent trial", "decent" indicates that the trial meets a satisfactory standard or is of acceptable quality, though not necessarily exceptional. It suggests a level of fairness, thoroughness, or competence that is adequate for the purpose.