more than decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than decent" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use it to describe something that is more than satisfactory or acceptable, such as someone's performance or the quality of something. For example, you could say "His performance was more than decent - he exceeded expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"He's more than decent.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mutombo was more than decent.

The New York Times - Sports

The Turner is currently on more than decent form.

The Guardian - Arts

The rest of the cast is more than decent, too.

The Guardian - Music

There's a more than decent quantity of ski terrain at the resort.

Independent

If you judge a gig by the cover versions, then this one was more than decent.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

So this powerful 5.2-inch screened phone has a more-than-decent camera – 12.3 megapixels – and a system to reduce power-drain when it's idle.

Independent

Objectively, this was a more-than-decent (perhaps even quite good) playoff season, for it contained the most potent of ingredients necessary for very good hockey: drama.

The Guardian - Sport

While Paterno is not the saint he's been made out to be, he's a more-than-decent guy who has done an enormous amount for Penn State, professionally and personally.

The New York Times - Sports

This is partly because of the spread of smartphones with more-than-decent cameras, and the ability to publish instantly anywhere, anytime, within seconds and reach millions by posting photos publicly across the network of social media sites.

The New York Times

Produced by early fan Elvis Costello, the Specials' debut album made a more-than-decent fist of capturing their live anarchy in the studio, with the exception of a dubby six-minute reading of Too Much Too Young.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than decent" when you want to convey that something exceeds basic expectations but doesn't necessarily reach an exceptional level. It's a good way to express moderate approval or satisfaction.

Common error

Avoid using "more than decent" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger, more precise adjectives like "excellent" or "outstanding" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than decent" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies possesses a quality that surpasses basic acceptability but may not reach exceptional standards. This is supported by Ludwig AI, confirming its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than decent" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase used to express moderate approval or satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. While prevalent in news and media, it finds less frequent use in formal academic or scientific discourse. When aiming for precision in formal writing, alternatives like "quite satisfactory" or "remarkably good" may be more appropriate. It’s a versatile phrase that conveys a positive assessment without suggesting exceptional quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite satisfactory

Replaces "decent" with a synonym for acceptable or good enough; implies a slightly higher level of satisfaction.

highly acceptable

Emphasizes the acceptability of something, suggesting it meets or surpasses requirements.

remarkably good

Focuses on the positive aspect, indicating something is notably better than average.

exceptionally adequate

Highlights the adequacy of something, suggesting it is more than just sufficient.

considerably superior

Indicates a significant improvement or higher quality compared to something else.

noticeably impressive

Emphasizes the quality of being remarkable and worthy of attention.

distinctly above average

Points out that something is clearly better than the norm.

appreciably better

Highlights that something is noticeably improved or of higher quality.

strikingly commendable

Focuses on the admirable qualities, emphasizing the praiseworthiness of something.

decidedly worthwhile

Indicates that something is definitely valuable and merits attention.

FAQs

How can I use "more than decent" in a sentence?

You can use "more than decent" to describe something that is better than just acceptable or satisfactory. For example, "The restaurant's service was "more than decent"; it was attentive and prompt."

What are some alternatives to saying "more than decent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "quite satisfactory", "remarkably good", or "highly acceptable".

Is it appropriate to use "more than decent" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "more than decent" might be considered too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using more precise and sophisticated vocabulary such as "exceptionally adequate" or "considerably superior".

What does "more than decent" imply about the quality of something?

"More than decent" suggests that something is above average or better than what is typically expected, without necessarily being outstanding or exceptional. It implies a level of quality that is pleasing or commendable.