one thing to decry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one thing to decry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to highlight a specific issue or action that you are criticizing or condemning. Example: "While there are many problems in society, one thing to decry is the lack of support for mental health services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's one thing to decry the social novel's poor reputation.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's one thing to decry the lack of fairness and consumer protection when businesses and the government decide what gets produced, marketed, labeled, regulated and sold[1], and how.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's one thing to stand back and decry all those who don't believe as you do as infidels or pagans or godless or whatever zealous phrase comes to mind; it's another to say those things about people you know, work with, like and admire.

Huffington Post

One thing to keep in mind is tumor type.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Japanese executives raise the matter to decry corporate complacency.

The Economist

One by one they stood up to decry God.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is one more thing to note.

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

One by one, Senate Democrats filed onto the chamber floor Thursday morning to decry the situation in Flint and attack Republicans.

Huffington Post

It's easy to decry this sort of thing, to bitch and moan about how Disney and Target are taking us for chumps.

The Guardian - Money

They issued strong denials but the point is, it's harder to decry that sort of thing when they have (twice in their entire lives, I should say) come down and someone at dinner was skinning up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And, in one case, the business leader appearing alongside Donohue to decry the interference of government in the market place received business through the benefit of government contracts.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one thing to decry" to emphasize a specific negative aspect within a broader discussion. This helps focus attention on a particular issue you find objectionable.

Common error

Avoid using "one thing to decry" in casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in everyday settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "something to complain about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one thing to decry" functions as an idiomatic expression used to single out a particular aspect or issue that warrants strong disapproval or condemnation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one thing to decry" is a grammatically sound and usable idiomatic expression, although not overly common. It's best suited for neutral to formal contexts, like news reports or academic discussions, where emphasizing a specific point of criticism is desired. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Be mindful that it can sound affected or pretentious in casual conversation, as a user may consider using synonyms like "a point to criticize".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a matter to condemn

Replaces "thing" with "matter", emphasizing the subject as something worthy of condemnation.

an issue to denounce

Replaces "thing" with "issue" and "decry" with "denounce", indicating a stronger level of condemnation.

a point to criticize

Substitutes "decry" with "criticize", offering a more neutral form of disapproval.

a trend to deplore

Focuses on expressing strong disapproval of a particular trend or development.

a practice to oppose

Shifts the focus to actively opposing a specific practice or behavior.

something worthy of criticism

Emphasizes the worthiness of the subject to be criticized by an external source.

a subject to lament

Changes the focus to expressing sorrow or regret about a particular subject.

a cause for concern

Highlights that the item should cause worry.

something to object to

Offers a more general way of expressing disagreement or disapproval.

a reason to complain about

Replaces the formal "decry" with a more colloquial "complain about", suitable for informal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "one thing to decry" in a sentence?

Use "one thing to decry" to highlight a specific issue or action that you are criticizing or condemning. For instance, "While there are many problems in society, "one thing to decry" is the lack of support for mental health services."

What are some alternatives to "one thing to decry"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a matter to condemn", "a point to criticize", or "an issue to denounce" to express disapproval or criticism.

Is "one thing to decry" formal or informal?

"One thing to decry" leans toward a more formal register. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "something to complain about" for a more casual tone.

What's the difference between "one thing to decry" and "a cause for concern"?

"One thing to decry" directly expresses criticism or condemnation, while "a cause for concern" indicates that something is worrying or problematic but doesn't necessarily involve direct disapproval. The first indicates action is necessary, the second alerts that action may be necessary.