a reasonable standard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable standard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing criteria or benchmarks that are considered fair or acceptable in a particular context. Example: "The company aims to maintain a reasonable standard of quality in all its products to ensure customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a reasonable standard.

The New York Times - Magazine

"This provides a reasonable standard that homeowners can meet".

The New York Times

Neither version meets a reasonable standard of reform.

The New York Times

And because I had played to a reasonable standard I got a little more respect.

The Guardian - Sport

"You'd be hard-pressed to get through school without learning to swim to a reasonable standard".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They would much prefer decent jobs and a reasonable standard of living.

The Guardian

You'll need evidence though, that the work is not of a reasonable standard.

The Guardian - Money

The law demands that holiday accommodation must be clean, safe and of a reasonable standard.

The Guardian - Money

There's more emphasis on zero hour contracts and the slow disintegration of what we would consider a full-time job to allow someone a reasonable standard of living.

The Guardian

And a recent report highlighted the fact that 40% of our poorest children leave school at age 11 unable to read to a reasonable standard".

The Guardian - Books

Most of the tracker cash comes from institutions but the many retail investors probably naively assumed top-tier status in London implied a reasonable standard of governance.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting expectations, use "a reasonable standard" to communicate that criteria should be fair, achievable, and aligned with common sense.

Common error

Avoid interpreting "a reasonable standard" too rigidly. The phrase implies flexibility and consideration of context, not strict adherence to inflexible rules.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable standard" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "reasonable" modifies the noun "standard". Ludwig confirms its widespread usage in diverse contexts, serving to define a criterion or expectation that is fair and realistic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reasonable standard" is a versatile phrase used to denote expectations, criteria, or benchmarks that are fair, achievable, and appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across varied contexts, including news, science, and business. When using the phrase, aim for balanced expectations rather than rigid rules, and consider alternatives like "a fair standard" or "an acceptable standard" for slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fair standard

Replaces "reasonable" with "fair", emphasizing impartiality and justice.

an acceptable standard

Substitutes "reasonable" with "acceptable", focusing on meeting a minimum requirement or expectation.

a legitimate standard

Replaces "reasonable" with "legitimate", highlighting the validity and lawfulness of the standard.

a manageable standard

Changes "reasonable" to "manageable", emphasizing the ease with which the standard can be implemented and maintained.

a decent standard

Replaces "reasonable" with "decent", focusing on the adequacy and respectability of the standard.

a suitable standard

Substitutes "reasonable" with "suitable", focusing on the appropriateness of the standard for a particular purpose or situation.

a sensible standard

Replaces "reasonable" with "sensible", emphasizing the practicality and good judgment behind the standard.

a rational standard

Changes "reasonable" to "rational", focusing on the logical and well-reasoned nature of the standard.

a justifiable standard

Replaces "reasonable" with "justifiable", highlighting the defensibility and moral correctness of the standard.

an appropriate benchmark

Shifts the focus from a "standard" to a "benchmark", emphasizing its role as a point of reference for comparison.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reasonable standard" to describe expectations, requirements, or criteria that are fair and achievable. For instance, "The company aims to maintain "a reasonable quality" in all its products."

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

You can use alternatives like "a fair standard", "an acceptable standard", or "a sensible standard depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a reasonable standard" or "a high standard"?

Both are correct, but they convey different meanings. "A reasonable standard" implies an achievable and fair level of quality or performance, while "a high standard" suggests a superior or exceptional level. The choice depends on the specific context and desired message.

What's the difference between "a reasonable standard" and "a minimum standard"?

"A reasonable standard" indicates a level that is fair and practical, while "a minimum standard" refers to the lowest acceptable level. "A reasonable standard" might be higher than a minimum standard, reflecting a balanced expectation rather than just the bare minimum.