respectable showing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "respectable showing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a performance or result that is commendable or worthy of respect, often in a competitive context. Example: "Despite the challenges, the team put on a respectable showing at the tournament, finishing in the top three."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It sold about 10,000 copies, a modest, if respectable, showing for a first novel.

The New York Times - Magazine

Meyer made her debut in Boston in 1994 and finished third, a very respectable showing.

The New York Times - Sports

From now until the Jan . 24caucuses, Mr. Forbes is leading a highly visible and heavily orchestrated bus tour of Iowa, drumming up support in the one state where he has a shot at a fairly respectable showing.

The New York Times

Although borne long before Speirs' time at the club, he does his utmost to maintain those standards, evident by his side's respectable showing at Ibrox earlier in the campaign.

BBC

While the film made under $1 million in its first week, it was considered "a highly respectable showing for a heritage biopic" and enough of a figure to "justify a ten-week run".

Wikipedia

A respectable showing would suffice.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We had a good time and he made a very respectable showing".

The New York Times - Sports

Despite a respectable showing this season, ticket sales were far off projections in the fall.

The New York Times - Arts

Only in Sind did the PPP have anything resembling a respectable showing.

Britannica

That makes a respectable showing like Sunday's loss in Orlando a positive experience.

The New York Times - Sports

"South Africa gets a respectable showing, as does the Arab world.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "respectable showing", consider the specific context to ensure the adjective accurately reflects the level of achievement. It implies something more than just adequate, but less than outstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "respectable showing" to describe truly exceptional achievements, as it can downplay the significance of the accomplishment. Reserve it for situations where the outcome is good, but not extraordinary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "respectable showing" functions as a noun phrase, where "respectable" modifies the noun "showing". It is typically used to describe a performance, result, or appearance that is considered adequate and worthy of recognition, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "respectable showing" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a performance or result that is commendable and worthy of recognition, though not necessarily outstanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's found primarily in News & Media contexts and is considered to be of neutral register. To avoid common errors, ensure the phrase accurately reflects the level of achievement and is not used to overstate or understate the accomplishment. Consider using alternatives like "creditable performance" or "commendable effort" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solid display

Implies the performance was stable and reliable.

creditable performance

Emphasizes the praiseworthiness of the performance, particularly in challenging circumstances.

good account

Focuses on the quality of the description or representation, highlighting it's of adequate quality.

commendable effort

Focuses on the effort made, suggesting it deserves recognition even if the outcome wasn't a complete success.

decent result

Indicates a satisfactory outcome, though perhaps not exceptional.

fair outcome

Suggests the result was reasonable and just, aligning with expectations.

adequate display

Highlights the sufficiency of the demonstration or performance, implying it met the minimum requirements.

reasonable attempt

Focuses on the attempt itself, suggesting it was carried out with a sensible approach.

passable showing

Indicates the performance was just good enough, without being particularly impressive.

noteworthy presence

Highlights that something stood out and was worthy of being noticed.

FAQs

How can I use "respectable showing" in a sentence?

You can use "respectable showing" to describe a performance or result that is commendable but not outstanding. For example, "Despite the team's challenges, they had a "respectable showing" at the tournament".

What are some alternatives to "respectable showing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "creditable performance", "commendable effort", or "decent result".

Is it correct to say "a respectable showing" or "an respectable showing"?

The correct phrasing is "a respectable showing" because "respectable" begins with a consonant sound. The article "a" is used before consonant sounds, while "an" is used before vowel sounds.

What's the difference between "respectable showing" and "good showing"?

"Respectable showing" implies that the performance or result was not only good but also worthy of respect, often considering the circumstances. "Good showing" is a more general term that simply means the performance was good but doesn't necessarily highlight the element of respect or commendation.