on the decent side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the decent side" is not correct in standard English.
It seems to be a misphrasing; the correct expression is "on the decent side of." Example: "He is on the decent side of the argument, advocating for fairness and equality."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By all standards, Bowden is on the decent side of college football coaches.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"An apology was not what I was thinking but to respond immediately on camera showed the decent side to Pearson.

BBC

My goals have been against the decent sides at international level and there is no more decent team than Germany".

The Guardian - Sport

The Liddle cosmology is thus a Manichean one: on the one side are decent working- and lower-middle-class white Britons who have been robbed of their birthright, and on the other are a "tribe" of Shami Chakrabatis who are shamelessly exploiting positive discrimination in order to control the commanding heights of the economy, the culture and society overall.

The Guardian - Books

"We lost a late goal, but they're a decent side to be focused on the 90 minutes.

BBC

"We allowed them back into the game more than anything, they are a decent side but we could have put on a better result than we did".

BBC

"We're a decent side when we're on it, it's been proved in the last four games.

BBC

"They're a decent side and we were in the situation we were in.

BBC

"We have a decent side," he insisted.

BBC

They know we're a decent side.

BBC

Jelle Van Damme is decent on the other side and Greg Halford, initially expected to be cast out this summer, has been so impressive in pre-season that McCarthy has decided to keep him, though that may say more about his lack of transfer funds than any belated development by the defender.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "on the right side of" or "on the decent side of" followed by an object, to convey your intended meaning more clearly.

Common error

Avoid using "on the decent side" without a clear object of comparison. The phrase requires context to specify what is being considered 'decent', otherwise, it sounds incomplete or grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the decent side" functions as a prepositional phrase that aims to describe a position or inclination toward moral goodness or respectability. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this is not a standard expression and the sentence results grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "on the decent side" aims to convey moral alignment, it's grammatically questionable and not a standard expression. Ludwig AI analysis and the limited number of examples suggest that more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "on the "right side of"" or "inclined to decency" are preferable. Although it appears in news and media, its infrequent usage and grammatical issues undermine its effectiveness. Using clearer alternatives enhances communication and avoids potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the ethical side

Replaces "decent" with "ethical", focusing on moral principles.

on the moral side

Substitutes "decent" with "moral", highlighting adherence to moral codes.

inclined to decency

Expresses a tendency towards being decent, changing the structure from a prepositional phrase.

leaning towards integrity

Replaces "decent" with "integrity", emphasizing honesty and strong moral principles.

on the respectable side

Uses "respectable" instead of "decent", focusing on social standing and good reputation.

on the upstanding side

Employs "upstanding" to describe someone who is honorable and virtuous.

on the virtuous side

Replaces "decent" with "virtuous", emphasizing moral excellence.

demonstrating integrity

Shifts the focus to actively showing integrity, changing the phrase structure.

displaying ethical behavior

Highlights the observable actions that align with ethical standards.

exhibiting moral character

Focuses on the inherent moral qualities that someone possesses.

FAQs

Is "on the decent side" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "on the decent side" is grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate phrase could be "on the "right side"" or "on the decent side of".

What does "on the decent side" mean?

The intended meaning of "on the decent side" is to indicate alignment with moral or ethical principles. However, due to its incorrect grammatical structure, it's best to use alternatives like "on the "right side of the argument"".

How can I use "on the decent side" in a sentence correctly?

While "on the decent side" is not standard, you can use "on the decent side of" followed by an object. For example, "He is on the decent side of the argument". However, consider using clearer phrases like "He is on the "right side of the argument"".

What are some alternatives to "on the decent side"?

Alternatives to "on the decent side" include phrases such as "on the ethical side", "on the moral side", or "inclined to decency". These options provide clearer and more grammatically correct ways to express the intended meaning.