this is decent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is decent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a moderate level of approval or satisfaction with something, indicating that it meets a certain standard but may not be exceptional. Example: "The food at the new restaurant was good, but the service was just okay; overall, I would say this is decent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This is decent Shakespeare by any standard, all of the actors (under Ike Schambelan's direction) handling the dialogue deftly.

The New York Times

This is decent and roughly in line with the goals of JPMorgan Chase (these calculations use tangible equity for both firms, assume the tougher incoming "Basel 3" capital rules are already in place, and presume that both firms run with a 10% core capital ratio).Yet HSBC starts from a weaker position.

The Economist

There is West Indian resistance, and you begin to think, 'this is OK, this is decent cricket'.

BBC

I would say this is decent, but not great science fiction.

Huffington Post

Forget the image of the nervous junior high boy going out on his first date while his mother eagerly proclaims to "just be yourself!" What she really means is "open your date's door, pay for the movie ticket, and don't talk with your mouth full of popcorn". This is decent advice, but, seriously, though, if I'm not being myself, how will I ever locate my people, my group, my kindred spirits?

HuffPost

This is decent intonation tuning for notes between nut and twelfth fret range.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This was no Theresienstadt; this was decent if cold and overcrowded accommodation on the Isle of Man where Eva remembered reading PG Wodehouse to practise her English.

The Guardian

In terms of entertainment value and drama, this was decent stuff for 45 minutes, as these two Euro 2016 qualifiers continued their fine-tuning.

The Guardian - Sport

All you'll need for this are decent speakers and an Mp3 hookup.

WikiHow

"This place is decent.

The Guardian - Music

"This is what is decent and sensible as part of the social contract," Shaffer said in a phone interview Thursday.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is decent" when you want to express mild approval or satisfaction without strong enthusiasm. It's suitable for situations where something meets expectations but doesn't exceed them.

Common error

Avoid using "this is decent" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to convey your evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is decent" primarily functions as an evaluative statement. It's used to express a judgment about the quality or acceptability of something. Ludwig AI confirms this through example sentences and its assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is decent" is a versatile expression used to convey a moderate level of approval or satisfaction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While not exceptionally formal, it's suitable for many situations where you want to express that something meets expectations without exceeding them. Consider alternatives like "this is acceptable" or "this is satisfactory" for slightly different shades of meaning, and be mindful of register when using it in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is acceptable

Replaces "decent" with a term that implies meeting a minimum requirement, suggesting a slightly lower standard.

this is satisfactory

Similar to "acceptable" but may suggest a slightly higher degree of fulfillment.

this is adequate

Emphasizes sufficiency for a specific purpose or need.

this is reasonable

Suggests fairness and logical justification, rather than just acceptability.

this is passable

Implies a minimal level of quality, just good enough to be accepted.

this is not bad

Expresses approval through negation, often suggesting a pleasant surprise.

this is fairly good

Adds a qualifier to "good", indicating a moderate level of positivity.

this is up to par

Uses a golfing metaphor to mean "meeting the expected standard".

this is all right

A more casual way of saying "acceptable" or "satisfactory".

this is up to snuff

An idiomatic expression meaning "meeting requirements" or "of adequate quality".

FAQs

What does "this is decent" mean?

The phrase "this is decent" means something is moderately good or acceptable, but not exceptional. It implies a satisfactory level of quality or performance.

When is it appropriate to use "this is decent"?

It's appropriate when you want to express mild approval or satisfaction without strong enthusiasm. It's suitable for situations where something meets expectations but doesn't exceed them.

What can I say instead of "this is decent"?

You can use alternatives like "this is acceptable", "this is satisfactory", or "this is adequate" depending on the context.

Is "this is decent" formal or informal?

"This is decent" is generally considered to be neutral in formality. It's not overly formal but also not extremely casual, making it suitable for many situations.