Decent vs. descent

Decent vs. descent

Decent 는 형용사로 (1) 예의바르고 존경할 만한, 그리고 (2) 그런대로 괜찮은 혹은 알맞은 이라는 두 가지 뜻으로 쓰입니다. Descent 는 명사로 (1) 아래 쪽으로 내려가는 행동 혹은 상황, (2) 하강, (3) 혈통, 가문, 그리고 (4) 갑작스러운 방문 혹은 공격 이라는 뜻으로 쓰입니다. 

Examples

Decent와 descent는 액샌트가 달리 발음되기 때문에 말을 할 땐 구분하기 쉽습니다. 하지만 글로 쓸 땐 종종 헷갈려하는 경우가 있습니다 (특히 descent가 들어가야 하는 자리에 decent가 들어가는 경우가 더 많음). 예를 들면

But, after a rocky decent into Shreveport and a quick stop to rent a car, I’ve arrived. [Fayetteville Observer]

All of them accuse each other of corruption and all of them claim to be clean and descent people with a great sense of integrity. [Global Politican]

Jennifer and Daniel are both of Irish decent and liked the name Nialls, … [Kenosha News]

아래 예문은 두 단어가 올바르게 쓰인 경우입니다

But a rapid descent into hell was imminent. [Guardian]

I’ve seen it about 20 times, but I need to leave a decent amount of time between viewings because it’s just so exhausting to watch. [New Zealand Herald]

Fatih Temelli is one of at least four European citizens of Turkish or Arab descent who have spent time in Pakistan’s Waziristan region … [New York Times]

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Decent vs. descent

Decent is an adjective meaning (1) polite and respectable, and (2) passable or adequate. Descent is a noun meaning (1) an act or instance of going downward, (2)a way down, (3) hereditary lineage, and (4) a sudden visit or attack.

Examples

Decent and descent are easy to keep separate in speech because they are pronounced differently. But in writing, they are often mixed up (especially decent in place ofdescent)—for example:

But, after a rocky decent into Shreveport and a quick stop to rent a car, I’ve arrived. [Fayetteville Observer]

All of them accuse each other of corruption and all of them claim to be clean and descent people with a great sense of integrity. [Global Politican]

Jennifer and Daniel are both of Irish decent and liked the name Nialls, … [Kenosha News]

In these examples, the words are spelled correctly:

But a rapid descent into hell was imminent. [Guardian]

I’ve seen it about 20 times, but I need to leave a decent amount of time between viewings because it’s just so exhausting to watch. [New Zealand Herald]

Fatih Temelli is one of at least four European citizens of Turkish or Arab descent who have spent time in Pakistan’s Waziristan region … [New York Times]

Original text from: http://grammarist.com/spelling/decent-descent/