a reasonable outlay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable outlay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing expenses or costs that are considered fair or justifiable in a given context. Example: "After reviewing the budget, we determined that a reasonable outlay for the project would be $10,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Purists may appreciate the difference, but I figured that less than $100 was a reasonable outlay for something that might end up as an elaborate clothesline.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Organic veg puts us about a tenner above what the courts consider to be a reasonable monthly outlay on groceries.

The Guardian - Money

And if a reasonable cash outlay is all it takes to get 10,000 or 20,000 Americans over their aesthetic qualms and into my camp, then everybody wins.

The New York Times

There has been some debate of late over whether the substitute's up-and-down season has represented a reasonable return on an outlay of £49m, and this was another indifferent display, though a goal with one of his first touches will have done the player's confidence no harm.

The Guardian - Sport

Happily the feed-in tariff will see us recovering that capital outlay in a reasonable time.

The Guardian

Think small (you can buy apartments as small as 30 or 40 square meters), and your capital outlay could be controlled to a reasonable level.

Huffington Post

With a rational U.S. drug pricing system, private investors would expect to earn a reasonable multiple of their R&D for a highly successful drug, perhaps even 5 to 10 times the R&D outlays, in order to reflect the long time horizons and high uncertainties surrounding drug development.

HuffPost

A reasonable landlord.

The New York Times

— a reasonable goal.

The New York Times

A reasonable question.

The New Yorker

seems a reasonable estimate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reasonable outlay", clearly define what makes the outlay reasonable in your context. Provide benchmarks, comparisons, or justifications to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable outlay" without providing any context or justification. Simply stating that something is reasonable without supporting evidence weakens your argument. Quantify the cost and compare it to alternatives or expected benefits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable outlay" functions as a noun phrase that describes an expense considered justifiable or fair. It combines the adjective "reasonable", indicating acceptability, with the noun "outlay", referring to an expenditure. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reasonable outlay" is a noun phrase used to describe an expense considered fair or justifiable. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and indicates its use in various contexts, primarily in news and media. To effectively use the phrase, provide clear justifications for why the outlay is considered reasonable, such as comparisons to market rates or budget constraints. While alternatives like "a justifiable expense" or "an acceptable cost" exist, "a reasonable outlay" offers a balanced tone suitable for both professional and general discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a justifiable expense

Replaces "outlay" with "expense", implying an expense that can be defended or explained.

an acceptable cost

Substitutes "outlay" with "cost", focusing on whether the price is considered tolerable or satisfactory.

a fair expenditure

Replaces both "reasonable" and "outlay" with "fair" and "expenditure", suggesting impartiality and justice in spending.

a moderate investment

Implies the outlay is for something expected to yield future benefits, and is not excessive.

a sensible payment

Highlights the prudence and practicality of the payment, suggesting it's a wise financial decision.

an appropriate disbursement

Uses more formal language to describe the act of paying out money.

a suitable expense

Focuses on the fittingness or appropriateness of the expense in a given situation.

an economical expenditure

Emphasizes that the expenditure is thrifty and avoids waste.

a budget-friendly cost

Highlights that the cost fits well within a set budget.

a cost-effective investment

Emphasizes that the returns are greater than the invested expense.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reasonable outlay" to describe an expense that is justifiable or fair given the circumstances. For example, "We considered $500 to be "a reasonable outlay" for the new software license."

What's the difference between "a reasonable outlay" and "a justifiable expense"?

"A reasonable outlay" and "a justifiable expense" are quite similar. "A justifiable expense" often implies a more formal or scrutinized expense, while "a reasonable outlay" can be used in more general contexts.

What are some alternatives to "a reasonable outlay"?

Alternatives to "a reasonable outlay" include "a justifiable expense", "an acceptable cost", or "a fair expenditure". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always subjective to determine "a reasonable outlay"?

While there's often a subjective element, ""a reasonable outlay"" can be based on objective criteria like market rates, budget constraints, or expected returns. Providing data and comparisons strengthens your claim that an outlay is reasonable.