decent working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decent working" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe a satisfactory level of functionality or performance, but it is better to use it in a more complete phrase. Example: "The project has decent working conditions, which help improve employee morale."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When a government has a "decent" working majority it doesn't need to listen.

The Guardian - Opinion

If I had to bet on one system being in decent working order a generation from now, it would be ours, not theirs.

The New York Times - Books

A broader culture of ensuring decent working conditions has been slow to spread.One BRIC at a timeChina has become the new frontier for the CSR industry.

The Economist

Throughout his article, he talks of "decent, working Britons" and "ordinary people who are our readers", but I don't think life is as simple as that any more.

Independent

Each sentence could have come from only the writer who produced it — which is probably a decent working definition of great writing.

The New York Times

Mechanically, these payments can only be made later in the year but they would do much to restore Labour's claim of helping decent working families.

The Guardian - Opinion

"When young people can claim their rights to health, education and decent working conditions, they become a powerful force for economic development and positive change.

The Guardian

If anyone can lend us a Black & Decker electric chainsaw in decent working order, who knows, perhaps we could offer that job as star prize in the next Independent charity auction.

Independent

For Labour, shadow Cabinet Office minister Michael Dugher said: "This shows once again that UKIP do not share the values of decent working people in Britain".

BBC

She said: "I'm extremely angry at a government that do not have a clue about the lives of the decent working people in Sheffield.

BBC

Trade unionists say Fifa has the power to impose decent working standards on Qatar, in the same way that it has introduced a code of working practice on footballs bearing the Fifa logo, in a bid to prevent child labour.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing work conditions, consider adding specific details after the phrase "decent working" to provide context. For example, "decent working conditions and fair wages" offers more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "decent working" without further elaboration. While understood, it lacks precision. Specify what makes the working conditions decent, such as fair pay, safety measures, or reasonable hours.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decent working" primarily functions as an adjective modifying a noun, typically related to employment or labor. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is not standard in written English and may sound awkward. It is often used to describe an acceptable level of functionality or performance in a work-related context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decent working" is used to describe employment or labor conditions that meet an acceptable standard. While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI notes it might sound awkward and is not considered standard in written English. Its purpose is to convey that work conditions are acceptable or fair, as seen in various contexts such as news, science, and wiki articles. It appears frequently in discussions about labor rights and ethical business practices. To enhance clarity, it's best to provide specific details about what makes the working conditions "decent", such as fair wages or safety measures. Alternatives like "satisfactory working conditions" or "fair labor practices" might offer more polished options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfactory working

Replaces "decent" with "satisfactory", emphasizing the adequacy of the work.

acceptable working

Substitutes "decent" with "acceptable", indicating that the working conditions meet a minimum standard.

reasonable working

Uses "reasonable" instead of "decent", suggesting fairness and moderation in the working environment.

adequate working

Replaces "decent" with "adequate", highlighting the sufficiency of the work.

fair working

Emphasizes the just and equitable nature of the work.

suitable working

Highlights the appropriateness and fitness of the work for a given purpose.

proper working

Uses "proper" to indicate that the work is done in a correct and appropriate manner.

respectable working

Substitutes "decent" with "respectable", adding an element of dignity to the work.

tolerable working

Suggests the work is endurable but not necessarily ideal.

bearable working

Emphasizes that the work, while perhaps difficult, can be endured.

FAQs

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

You can use "decent working" to describe employment conditions that are acceptable or satisfactory. For example: "The union fought for "decent working conditions" and fair pay."

What's a less awkward way to say "decent working"?

Alternatives include "satisfactory working conditions", "acceptable working environment", or "fair labor practices", depending on the context.

What does "decent working conditions" include?

"Decent working conditions" generally refer to a safe and healthy work environment, fair wages, reasonable working hours, and the absence of discrimination or harassment.

Is it better to say "decent work" or "decent working"?

"Decent work" is a more established and widely recognized term, often used by organizations like the ILO. "Decent working" is less common but can be used to modify nouns like "conditions", "environment", or "practices".