it was decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was decent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a moderate level of satisfaction or approval about something, indicating that it was acceptable but not exceptional. Example: "The meal at the restaurant was nice, but overall, it was decent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

One offered that it was "decent".

The New Yorker

But it was decent exercise, mostly canoeing against the current.

The New York Times - Travel

COMMENT FROM YAHYA CHAUDHRY: It was no "A More Perfect Union," but it was decent enough for a stump speech.

The New Yorker

It was decent work for a decent wage, he said, but nothing compared with the business he has created now.

The New York Times

Though the resolution of Zuckerberg and the other keynote speakers wasn't nearly as good as it is in real life, it was decent.

MIT Technology Review

Theodore Roosevelt went into elective politics at a time when few Ivy League types thought it was decent to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

If it's decent weather we sail.

The New York Times

It's decent not to want Sharia law".

Independent

It's acceptable Indian dress, it's decent, it's attractive.

Independent

It's not audiophile-grade sound but it's decent.

The New York Times

At least it's decent now they've done it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was decent" to express a balanced opinion, suggesting something is neither particularly impressive nor disappointing. It's suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was decent" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to accurately convey your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was decent" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing a moderate level of satisfaction or approval. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It's used to convey that something is acceptable without being particularly outstanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was decent" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a moderate level of satisfaction or acceptance. According to Ludwig, it indicates that something is acceptable but not exceptional. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for everyday conversation. While it's a useful phrase for expressing a balanced opinion, it should be avoided in formal or academic writing, where more precise language is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was satisfactory

Indicates that something met the requirements or expectations without being outstanding.

it was acceptable

Suggests that something was good enough or permissible, though perhaps not ideal.

it was adequate

Implies that something was sufficient to fulfill a need or purpose, without being exceptional.

it was passable

Suggests something barely met the required standard, implying a minimal level of quality.

it was fair

Conveys that something was reasonably good or just, without being outstanding.

it was okay

A more informal way of saying something was acceptable or alright.

it was all right

Similar to "it was okay", indicating a moderate level of agreement or satisfaction.

it sufficed

Implies that something was enough to meet the immediate need or purpose.

it wasn't bad

A more indirect way of expressing that something was reasonably good.

it was unremarkable

Indicates that something didn't stand out in any particular way, being neither good nor bad.

FAQs

What does "it was decent" mean?

"It was decent" means that something was acceptable or satisfactory, but not exceptional. It suggests a moderate level of approval.

What can I say instead of "it was decent"?

You can use alternatives like "it was satisfactory", "it was acceptable", or "it was adequate" depending on the context.

Is "it was decent" formal or informal?

"It was decent" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. More formal situations may require more precise language.

How do I use "it was decent" in a sentence?

You can use "it was decent" to describe something you found to be acceptable but not particularly impressive. For example, "The food at the restaurant was good, but overall, it was decent."