in decent condition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in decent condition" can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe the quality of something, as in the following example: The furniture we found at the thrift store was surprisingly in decent condition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The apartment was in decent condition, with no evidence of roaches.

The New York Times

In Sinaloa, officials said, some 20percentt of them are in "decent condition".

The New York Times

The reporter said that although Mr. Qaddafi appeared very frightened, he was in decent condition.

The New York Times

With station wagons becoming more difficult to find in decent condition, he had better hurry up.

The New York Times

It sold for a mere £67.50, considerably less than a first edition of The Catcher in decent condition.

The Guardian - Books

Through some programs, users can earn up to $200 if the device is newer and in decent condition.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Don't you want to know your meat lived in decent conditions and was slaughtered in a humane way?

The Guardian

Yet in the 70 minutes for which Sale had 15 players were on the park, in decent conditions, they mustered nul points.

The Guardian - Sport

A representative of the SUD union pointed out that "passengers would be less upset about industrial action if they travelled in decent conditions the rest of the time".

The Guardian

With the reduction in defence establishments in the UK over the last few years we cannot believe that there are not places where large numbers of refugees could be contained in decent conditions.

Independent

Their abbess Mother Pelayia Sayaf said they were all in good health despite the exhaustion of their trip to freedom; she tactfully thanked both President Assad for negotiating their release with Qatar and her captors for keeping her community in decent conditions: "I have to be truthful, the Front treated us well".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an item for sale or donation, using "in decent condition" provides potential buyers or recipients with a reasonable expectation of its quality without overstating its perfection.

Common error

Avoid using "in decent condition" when describing items of superior quality. "Decent" implies an acceptable, but not exceptional, state. Instead, use phrases like "in excellent condition" or "like new" for higher quality items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in decent condition" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, typically indicating the state or quality of an object or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in decent condition" is a common prepositional phrase used to describe an acceptable, but not exceptional, state of something. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and suitability for use across various contexts. It's most frequently found in news media and wiki sources. While "decent" suggests an acceptable level of quality, writers should avoid using it when describing items of superior quality; alternatives like "in excellent condition" would be more appropriate. Related phrases include "in acceptable shape" and "serviceable", each carrying slightly different nuances. When describing an item for sale or donation, "in decent condition" accurately sets expectations. The phrase is neutrally registered and easy to understand, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in acceptable shape

Replaces "condition" with "shape", implying a slightly less formal assessment of the state.

in satisfactory state

Replaces "condition" with "state", implying a more formal assessment of the situation.

in fair order

Substitutes "condition" with "order", suggesting a state of arrangement or functionality.

in reasonable nick

Uses "nick" (British slang) instead of "condition", making it more informal. Also "reasonable" softens the assessment.

in passable repair

Emphasizes the repair aspect, indicating it's functional enough to pass requirements.

in good working order

Specifically refers to the functionality of an item, implying it operates correctly.

in tolerable form

Highlights that something is barely acceptable, perhaps with reservations.

relatively undamaged

Focuses on the lack of damage, suggesting it hasn't suffered significant harm.

serviceable

A single word indicating fitness for purpose, implying it's good enough to be used.

well-kept

Emphasizes maintenance and care, suggesting it has been looked after.

FAQs

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

You can use "in decent condition" to describe the state of something that is acceptable but not perfect. For example, "The used car was "in decent condition", but needed some minor repairs."

What's the difference between "in decent condition" and "in good condition"?

"In decent condition" implies an acceptable or satisfactory state, while "in good condition" suggests a better than average state. "Good" indicates a higher level of quality than "decent."

What can I say instead of "in decent condition"?

You can use alternatives like "in acceptable shape", "in fair order", or "serviceable" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "in decent condition" in formal writing?

Yes, "in decent condition" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. While not overly sophisticated, it's a clear and easily understood phrase, appropriate for describing the quality of something in a professional context.