a reasonable action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions that are logical, sensible, or justifiable in a given context. Example: "Given the circumstances, taking a step back and reassessing the situation is a reasonable action to take."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Playing for the jack to fall, therefore, is a reasonable action that would have succeeded.

The New York Times - Arts

It is a disgrace to consider this as a reasonable action to end some other's mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Mills yesterday defended the order yesterday, calling it "a reasonable action in response to the city's inaction in staffing the lowest-performing schools with qualified teachers".

The New York Times

"In these cases, we believe a human driver could have taken a reasonable action to avoid the contact but the simulation indicated the [car] would not have taken that action," the company says.

The Guardian - Tech

It is true that South's play of the heart ten was a trifle odd if he began with Q-10-x, but a falsecard was a reasonable action if South was expecting to lose a finesse to West.

The New York Times - Arts

At the same time, a strategy may offer a reasonable action before the arrival of such a query, employing some rational assumptions regarding the data distribution.

Journal of Big Data

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Spurr has written to the POA asking the organisation to withdraw its circular asking for meetings, telling them that prison governors will "engage fully with legitimate concerns and take all reasonable action and appropriate action in response".

The Guardian

If you're feeling jealous, consider it as a prompt for reasonable action -- whether that's within yourself or within the context of your relationships.

Huffington Post

Bristol were on Wednesdaynot going beyond the statement issued on Tuesday which talked of "taking all reasonable actions as necessary to protect the club's position".

The Guardian - Sport

Local health officers may take any reasonable actions where health conditions require that immediate action be taken; violations of individual property rights, if actionable, would generally be sorted out after the need for such actions has ended.

The New York Times

Jourdan's plan, to attack four points of the opposition simultaneously, seemed to him to be the only reasonable action against a force with such numerical superiority.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a reasonable action" when you want to convey that a particular course of action is logical, justifiable, and sensible in a given situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable action" in every context. Sometimes, more specific adjectives like 'effective', 'strategic', or 'compassionate' can provide a more nuanced and impactful description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable action" typically functions as a noun phrase, where 'reasonable' modifies the noun 'action'. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase indicates actions that are logical, sensible, or justifiable within a specific context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a reasonable action" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a sensible, logical, or justifiable action. Ludwig AI validates its usability across diverse writing contexts. Predominantly found in news and scientific sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communications. When using this phrase, ensure that 'reasonable' is the most precise descriptor, as more specific adjectives might provide a more impactful description. Consider using alternatives like "a sensible measure" or "a logical step" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rational course of action

Strengthens the logical aspect, suggesting a carefully considered plan.

a sensible measure

Replaces "action" with "measure" and "reasonable" with "sensible", suggesting a practical step.

a logical step

Substitutes "reasonable" with "logical", emphasizing the rationality of the action.

an appropriate response

Replaces "action" with "response", indicating a reaction to a situation, and replaces "reasonable" with "appropriate".

a justified decision

Emphasizes the defensibility of the choice by using "justified" instead of "reasonable" and "decision" instead of "action".

a sound approach

Focuses on the method or strategy, using "sound" to convey the reliability of the "approach".

a practical solution

Highlights the problem-solving aspect, where the action serves as a "practical solution".

a prudent step

Replaces "reasonable" with "prudent", emphasizing caution and wisdom in the action.

a well-considered act

Emphasizes the thoughtfulness and deliberation behind the "act".

an acceptable measure

Highlights the permissibility of the measure/action, using the term acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "a reasonable action" in a sentence?

You can use "a reasonable action" to describe a sensible or justifiable step taken in a particular situation. For example, "Given the circumstances, filing a report with the authorities is "a reasonable action"."

What can I say instead of "a reasonable action"?

You can use alternatives like "a sensible measure", "a logical step", or "an appropriate response" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a reasonable action" or "an reasonable action"?

"A reasonable action" is correct. Since 'reasonable' starts with a consonant sound, the indefinite article 'a' should be used.

What's the difference between "a reasonable action" and "a necessary action"?

"A reasonable action" implies that the action is sensible and justifiable, while "a necessary action" suggests that the action is essential and unavoidable. The former focuses on logic, while the latter emphasizes urgency or requirement.