decidedly good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decidedly good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is clearly or unmistakably good. Example: "The restaurant received a decided improvement in its reviews, and the food was decidedly good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The agreement is the nation's most significant trade pact since the North American Free Trade Agreement and decidedly good for the United States.

The New York Times

It's decidedly good news in a field in which gains are excruciatingly hard to come by and funding lags behind that of many other types of cancer.

The Washington Post

This week has been, at least for this fleeting moment, a decidedly good one for Democrats as their preferred candidates, among their own and Republicans, won some contested primaries.

The New York Times

There have been times this season - last autumn, for example, when he ran rings round Argentina to score his first Test try for an otherwise haunted England side stumbling to defeat - when not worrying too much looked a decidedly good idea.

The Guardian - Sport

In other words, Iraq has decidedly good reasons to not participate in an OPEC production cut.

Forbes

Internet Explorer 6 and 7 continue to see their user-bases fade (which is a decidedly good thing, especially in the case of IE6), and it seems that many (though not all) of these are heading to IE8.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

With an average that has just dipped below 20 for the series, these are decidedly not good times for Michael Clarke.

The Guardian - Sport

Like any champion, he had transcended his sport, but in a way that was decidedly not good.

The New York Times - Sports

But resuscitation of the fund – and the wider Bretton Woods system – is decidedly not good for a more stable and equitable world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Regardless, a rise in imports is not necessarily a bad thing, and in this case for goods that will be used on projects within Australia providing income and employment in the medium to long term, it is decidedly a good thing.

The Guardian - Business

Decidedly not good.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decidedly good" to emphasize a clear and unmistakable positive attribute, especially when you want to convey a sense of certainty or strong approval.

Common error

While "decidedly good" is grammatically correct, avoid using it too frequently in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very good" or "great" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decidedly good" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, strengthening the positive attribute of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize the positive quality being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decidedly good" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for emphasizing a positive quality. As Ludwig confirms, it conveys a strong sense of approval and clarity. While suitable for formal and neutral contexts, it should be used sparingly in informal settings. Alternatives such as "unquestionably positive" or "clearly advantageous" can offer similar emphasis. According to Ludwig, usage of "decidedly good" is most common in News & Media. Remember to use this phrase when you want to ensure your audience understands the strength and certainty of your positive assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unquestionably positive

Emphasizes the lack of doubt about the positive nature of something.

clearly advantageous

Highlights the benefits and advantages that are evident.

distinctly favorable

Indicates a noticeable and positive preference or outcome.

patently beneficial

Stresses that the benefits are obvious and easily recognized.

markedly superior

Focuses on the significant improvement or higher quality compared to something else.

emphatically agreeable

Highlights the strong and forceful agreement or approval.

undeniably excellent

Stresses the impossibility of denying the high quality or excellence.

positively exceptional

Emphasizes that something is beyond just good, reaching an exceptional level.

unambiguously positive

Similar to 'unquestionably positive' but stresses lack of any ambiguity.

absolutely splendid

Expresses a more enthusiastic and delightful sense of approval.

FAQs

How can I use "decidedly good" in a sentence?

You can use "decidedly good" to emphasize that something is clearly or unmistakably good. For example: "The restaurant received a decided improvement in its reviews, and the food was "decidedly good"."

What are some alternatives to "decidedly good"?

You can use alternatives like "unquestionably positive", "clearly advantageous", or "distinctly favorable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "decidedly good" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "decidedly good" is suitable for formal writing. It adds a level of emphasis and clarity that can be effective in professional or academic contexts.

What is the difference between "decidedly good" and "very good"?

"Decidedly good" implies a stronger, more certain sense of approval than "very good". It suggests that the positive quality is undeniable and evident, while "very good" is a more general expression of approval.