make it decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it decent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to improve the quality or appropriateness of something, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The report needs some revisions; please make it decent before submitting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The left would say: set a minimum living wage, make it decent, enforce it, unionise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Repeat offenders were threatened with the needlework teacher, who it was rumoured would sew oddments of material to your skirt at random to make it "decent".

The Guardian - Opinion

Make it decent sized.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's got enough room to make it a decent overnighter, but it's more practical for around-the-city biking and such.

TechCrunch

The hotel is now a shell of its former self, but the faded glory and central location make it a decent budget option.

The New York Times - Travel

Five singles make it a decent over for England.

The Guardian - Sport

The shop: thinking up ways to improve it, make it halfway decent, bring it back to life.

The New Yorker

Tasty burgers and international dishes make it a decent spot for food too.

The Guardian - Travel

In fact, the non-panelled versions of the Citan, the Dualiner and Traveliner, which come with rear windows and seats would make it a decent bet for a large family car.

Independent

"I have this Spring been new planking the yard," she one day boasted, and "am Painting the Front of the House to make it look Decent that I may not be Ashamed when any Boddy Inquiers for Dr Franklins Sister".

The New Yorker

The site mixes it all together to make it sound decent.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "make it decent", consider the specific context and audience to ensure the level of improvement or appropriateness aligns with expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "make it decent" in highly formal or professional settings where a more sophisticated or precise term like "ensure its suitability" or "improve its quality" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it decent" primarily functions as an imperative, urging someone to improve something to a satisfactory level. Ludwig confirms its usability, aligning with this directive use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make it decent" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that urges improvement to an acceptable standard. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is most common in news media and Wiki contexts, with a register ranging from informal to neutral. For formal settings, consider alternatives like "ensure its suitability" or "enhance its quality". While the phrase is valid, remember to assess the specific context to select the most fitting expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make it acceptable

Focuses on reaching a minimum standard of acceptance rather than general decency.

make it satisfactory

Emphasizes meeting requirements or expectations for a particular purpose.

make it presentable

Highlights the visual or aesthetic aspect of improvement.

make it adequate

Stresses sufficiency and meeting a basic need or requirement.

improve it

A general term for enhancing the quality or condition of something.

refine it

Implies a process of making subtle improvements for greater precision.

polish it up

Suggests a final touch to enhance appearance or quality.

make it passable

Indicates bringing something to a level just good enough to be accepted.

enhance it

Focuses on adding features or qualities to make something better.

upgrade it

Suggests raising the quality or standard to a higher level.

FAQs

How can I use "make it decent" in a sentence?

You can use "make it decent" when asking someone to improve the quality or appropriateness of something. For example: "The presentation is good, but please "make it decent" before we present it to the board."

What are some alternatives to "make it decent"?

Some alternatives include "make it acceptable", "make it satisfactory", or simply "improve it", depending on the context.

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

While "make it decent" is understandable, it's generally better to use more formal language in professional or academic writing, such as "ensure its suitability" or "enhance its quality".

What does "make it decent" typically imply?

"Make it decent" typically implies bringing something up to an acceptable or satisfactory standard, often with a focus on improving its appearance or quality.