decently written

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decently written" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a piece of writing that is satisfactory or acceptable in quality. Example: "The report was decent, but it could use some improvements; overall, it was decently written."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It wasn't easy, but we kept at it conscientiously, and in my 20s I published two decently written books".

The Guardian - Books

"Just the way I wouldn't write anything, even an e-mail, if it wasn't decently written, the translation has to be good right away," she told me.

The New Yorker

Julian told me that the Treasury had commented that mine was 'the first decently written paper' they had seen for thirty years.

The Guardian

When I watched the Facebook biopic for the first time a week or so ago, I thought it was a decently written flick, but I couldn't understand why so many reviewers felt that screenwriter Aaron Sorkin had captured the Millennial zeitgeist.

TechCrunch

But it's difficult early in a director's career to have access to decently written material written by others.

Los Angeles Times

One racist font after another, we continue throughout the world in this surprisingly decently written magazine to southern Africa, where Grand Safari Events is superimposing animal spotting and wilderness training with Scientologist "Admin Tech framework".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

If "Just a Kiss," which opens today nationwide, is decently acted and cleverly written, it only half-succeeds in making its surreal game of mixed doubles transcend soap-opera spoof.

The New York Times

"Being able to write decently is almost a disability," he said.

The New Yorker

We get to know a string of indelible characters, from the caustic fellow at the local newspaper -- who refuses to print Church's final statement to the world and suggests he keep living, if only so he can learn how to write decently -- to a bullied teenager to the timid bank clerk and the mysterious woman who may or may not be Church's one true love.

Huffington Post

Try to write decently.

WikiHow

A step up from that are the pens which you can get for around $1 each - Uniball 207 or Pilot G2 gel pens, Zebra 301 or Pentel RSVP ballpoints, or V5 or Vision rollerballs; disposable pens that write decently but won't last exceptionally long.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decently written" to describe writing that meets a satisfactory standard without necessarily being exceptional. It's useful when you want to convey that a piece of work is acceptable and understandable.

Common error

Avoid using "decently written" when the writing is truly exceptional or masterful. Overusing this term can diminish the impact of genuinely outstanding writing. Instead, reserve it for pieces that are merely satisfactory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decently written" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to describe the quality of a written work. It indicates that something is written to an acceptable or satisfactory standard, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decently written" is a phrase used to describe writing that is acceptably or satisfactorily written, without necessarily being exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, primarily within News & Media. While not as strong as "well-written", it serves to indicate an acceptable level of quality. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the writing's quality and consider stronger alternatives like ""well-written"" for truly outstanding work. The phrase maintains a neutral tone and is generally suitable for both formal and informal discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Well-written

Emphasizes a higher level of skill and artistry in the writing, suggesting more than just adequacy.

Acceptably written

Focuses on the writing being good enough to be accepted without causing concern or criticism.

Fairly well-written

Indicates the writing is more than just adequate, approaching the level of being well-written.

Competently written

Highlights the writer's ability to handle the craft of writing with skill and proficiency.

Satisfactorily written

Highlights the writing meeting expectations and providing a sense of satisfaction.

Respectably written

Indicates the writing is of a quality that garners respect, avoiding major errors or stylistic issues.

Adequately written

Focuses on the writing meeting the minimum requirements or standards, without necessarily being exceptional.

Reasonably written

Suggests the writing is of fair quality, not outstanding but also not poor.

Passably written

Indicates a level of writing that is just good enough, perhaps with some flaws, but still acceptable.

Serviceably written

Suggests the writing fulfills its purpose or function without being particularly elegant or polished.

FAQs

How can I use "decently written" in a sentence?

You can use "decently written" to describe a piece of work that is satisfactory in quality, for example: "The report was decent, but it could use some improvements; overall, it was "decently written"."

What are some alternatives to "decently written"?

Some alternatives include "well-written", "adequately written", or "competently written", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "decently written" formal or informal?

"Decently written" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from stronger terms like ""well-written"" or ""competently written"".

What's the difference between "decently written" and "well-written"?

"Decently written" suggests that the writing is adequate and meets basic standards, while ""well-written"" implies a higher level of skill, artistry, and polish.