doing pretty decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing pretty decent" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a colloquial expression that is often used in informal or casual settings. Example: Despite the challenges, our team is doing pretty decent on the project so far.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And apparently it's doing pretty decent in terms of sales.

TechCrunch

That's what history is about for me: good people doing some pretty awful things, and terrible people sometimes doing pretty decent things.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If I put the work in, I'll come through and do pretty decent".

BBC

Despite sounding like a musical greeting card that's been through the microwave a couple times, the Stylophone captured the imagination of some of the era's most notable musical weirdoes, among them a young David Bowie and even younger Ralf Hutter of Kraftwerk, and did pretty decent business until its discontinuation in 1980.

Vice

Squint a little, put it all together, and Rooney really did look like – whisper it – a man doing a pretty decent on-the-hoof turn as the complete midfielder.

The Guardian - Sport

As a fan of the sport, I do think there's more UFC could to do combat piracy other than suing Companies A through Z. UFC's already doing a pretty decent job of embracing alternative distribution methods you can watch UFC events on Roku and your iPhone, for example—but there's still room for improvement.

TechCrunch

Public Image Ltd. was trying to sound like anything but rock and roll and doing a pretty decent job.

The New Yorker

I am only half ill, however, because although I have been doing a pretty decent impression of a person one particularly violent hacking cough from death for the past three weeks, I have felt absolutely fine throughout.

The Guardian - Money

"I can focus on education because Rudy brought the crime rate down," he said, adding: "I think that you can make the case that with sanitation and police and fire, there's always room for improvement, but they're doing a pretty decent job.

The New York Times

Fortunately, a new study shows that when it comes to fictional portrayals of the people who provide abortions, television shows are actually doing a pretty decent job.

Huffington Post

No matter who I'm on, I can -- I'm not going to shut guys out, this is the N.B.A. -- but I feel like I can do a pretty decent job of limiting what they do".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing pretty decent" in informal contexts where a casual tone is appropriate. For formal writing, consider using more professional alternatives like "performing satisfactorily".

Common error

Avoid using "doing pretty decent" in formal reports, academic papers, or professional presentations. This phrase is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing pretty decent" functions as a descriptive expression, characterizing the manner in which someone or something is performing. Ludwig examples shows is often used to indicate an acceptable level of success or progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doing pretty decent" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing satisfactory progress or performance, as confirmed by Ludwig. While mostly confined to informal contexts, particularly in news and media, it's a versatile expression for casual communication. Ludwig provides various real-world examples that demonstrate its appropriate use, while cautioning against its overuse in formal or professional settings. Consider alternatives like "performing quite well" for more formal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performing quite well

Replaces "pretty decent" with a more formal "quite well".

achieving moderate success

Directly addresses the level of accomplishment reached.

progressing satisfactorily

Emphasizes the advancement aspect, adding a tone of approval.

navigating successfully

Implies skillful handling of a situation.

making satisfactory headway

Highlights progress, implying a forward direction.

getting along reasonably

Focuses on the process of progress, suggesting moderate success.

holding up fairly well

Suggests resistance to adverse conditions while maintaining a good state.

functioning acceptably

Indicates that the basic requirements are met.

managing adequately

Highlights just meeting the necessary requirements.

coping reasonably well

Highlights the ability to handle challenges successfully.

FAQs

What does "doing pretty decent" mean?

The phrase "doing pretty decent" means performing or progressing in a way that is satisfactory or acceptable. It implies things are going reasonably well but not necessarily exceptionally.

What can I say instead of "doing pretty decent"?

You can use alternatives like "performing quite well", "progressing satisfactorily", or "managing adequately" depending on the context.

Is "doing pretty decent" grammatically correct?

Yes, "doing pretty decent" is grammatically correct, though it's more common in informal settings. Ludwig confirms that it's acceptable in written English.

When is it appropriate to use "doing pretty decent"?

It's best to use "doing pretty decent" in informal conversations, casual writing, or when communicating with friends and family. Avoid using it in formal business or academic contexts.