a reasonable suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable suspicion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a belief that a crime may have been committed, based on specific facts or circumstances. Example: "The officer had a reasonable suspicion that the vehicle was stolen, prompting him to pull the driver over for questioning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Stops were considered unjustified if officers provided no primary reason articulating a reasonable suspicion for the stop.

The New York Times

There's good reason for, at a minimum, using a reasonable suspicion standard.

Huffington Post

The police are required to have a reasonable suspicion to make a stop.

The New York Times

I have a reasonable suspicion of my own, the non-Westminster spectator might well have thought.

The Guardian - Opinion

They would have needed a reasonable suspicion and a search warrant.

The Guardian - Opinion

In New Jersey, a consent search requires a reasonable suspicion of contraband.

The New York Times

By law, border agents must have a "reasonable suspicion" to stop someone.

The New York Times

This is a reasonable suspicion, based on a sensible reading of the American national interest.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There is a reasonable suspicion that there is widespread surveillance," Max Schrems, the founder of the group, said.

The New York Times - Tech

It doesn't take too much imagination to predict what criteria will constitute a reasonable suspicion of a suspect's immigration status.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It is not at all clear what separates a reasonable-suspicion-based-on-a-reasonable-suspicion from a simple hunch," it said, calling inclusion on a government watchlist a potentially "life-altering" experience.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reasonable suspicion" in legal contexts, ensure you can articulate the specific facts and circumstances that form the basis of that suspicion.

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable suspicion" when you only have a vague feeling or hunch. Reasonable suspicion requires articulable facts, while a hunch is just a gut feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable suspicion" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase, typically used in legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a reasonable suspicion" is a frequently used noun phrase, particularly in legal and journalistic contexts. It denotes a belief, supported by specific facts, that something improper may be happening. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. While often found in neutral settings, its formality can increase in legal documents. When using this phrase, ensure your suspicion is based on more than just a hunch; articulate the facts that support it. Alternatives include "well-founded suspicion" and "justified suspicion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a well-founded suspicion

Emphasizes the presence of a solid basis or foundation for the suspicion.

a justified suspicion

Highlights the legitimacy or defensibility of the suspicion.

a legitimate suspicion

Focuses on the lawfulness and acceptability of the suspicion.

a plausible suspicion

Indicates that the suspicion is believable and likely.

a credible suspicion

Suggests the suspicion is based on trustworthy information.

a valid suspicion

Implies the suspicion is sound and correct.

grounds for suspicion

Focuses on the reasons or evidence supporting the suspicion.

cause for suspicion

Highlights the existence of a reason that justifies suspicion.

a hunch

Conveys a feeling or intuition that something is wrong, without concrete evidence.

a gut feeling

Similar to a hunch, but emphasizes the instinctive nature of the suspicion.

FAQs

What is considered "a reasonable suspicion" in legal terms?

In legal terms, "a reasonable suspicion" is a belief, based on specific and articulable facts, that a crime has been, is being, or is about to be committed. It's less than probable cause but more than a mere hunch.

How does "a reasonable suspicion" differ from probable cause?

"A reasonable suspicion" requires less evidence than probable cause. Probable cause requires a higher degree of certainty that a crime has occurred.

What are some alternatives to "a reasonable suspicion"?

You can use alternatives like "well-founded suspicion", "justified suspicion", or "legitimate suspicion" depending on the context.

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

Example: "The officer stopped the vehicle because he had "a reasonable suspicion" that the driver was intoxicated."