a sane level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sane level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reasonable or rational standard or degree of something, often in discussions about mental health, behavior, or expectations. Example: "In order to maintain a healthy work-life balance, it's important to set a sane level of expectations for yourself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And it kept athletics at what he felt was a sane level for a long time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The result is that government and the Bank of England, in throwing the kitchen sink at the banking system, put concerns about financial stability over letting the market fall back to a saner level.

The Guardian - Opinion

So let them catch up to a more sane level of demand".

The New York Times

Drinking beer allows me stay for hours—sipping my frothy beverage all the while maintaining a somewhat sane level of sobriety during conversation.

Vice

Fear and mistrust, in both the gun and abortion debates, inhibit sane, level conversation, and impede what moderates might consider reasonable regulations.

The New York Times

Ruth is obsessed with what she imagines to be Sister Clodagh's love for Mr Dean; on a much gentler, saner level, Catriona has the same approach to Joan and Torquil.

The Guardian - Film

The responsibility lies with shareholders and boards of directors who first must demand that executive salaries and perks are cut to sane levels.

The New York Times

Sane levelled two minutes later, firing home the rebound after Roman Buerki parried the ball invitingly into his path, but the game quickly took another twist.

The Guardian - Sport

In the past, this has given rise to some monumentally reckless spending, although since the arrivals of Allofs and Hecking in late 2012, transfer movement has declined to fairly sane levels.

The Guardian - Sport

But in other areas the government caps whistleblowers' rewards at sane levels–$250,000 in customs cases and $1.6 million in those involving bank fraud.

Forbes

The Internet brings people closer together, so that sane, level-headed, reasonable people like me can reach prickly, obsessive, quick-to-anger people like you.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In project management or goal setting, apply "a sane level" to define achievable targets, preventing burnout and promoting sustainable progress.

Common error

Avoid using "a sane level" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or technical terms like "optimal level" or "statistically significant threshold" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sane level" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a degree or standard that is considered reasonable, rational, and mentally sound. Ludwig's examples show it applying to contexts like athletics and sobriety.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Forbes

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sane level" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a reasonable or rational standard, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI states, it suggests a balanced or stable state, particularly after periods of imbalance or excess. While generally acceptable, it's advisable to use more precise terms in formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "a reasonable standard" or "a rational degree" to convey similar meanings with slight nuances. Remember to apply this phrase judiciously to maintain clarity and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable standard

Replaces "sane" with "reasonable", focusing on the rationality and fairness of the standard.

a rational degree

Substitutes "sane" with "rational" and "level" with "degree", emphasizing logic and proportion.

a sensible amount

Replaces "sane" and "level" with "sensible amount", highlighting practicality and moderation.

a sound judgment

Shifts the focus to the quality of decision-making, using "sound" to indicate a healthy or unimpaired state of mind.

a balanced perspective

Emphasizes objectivity and impartiality, replacing the specific measure with a broader view.

a healthy boundary

Focuses on establishing limits that are conducive to well-being and stability.

a stable condition

Emphasizes maintaining a state of equilibrium and consistency.

a moderate pace

Suggests a tempo that is neither too fast nor too slow, promoting sustainability.

a pragmatic approach

Highlights practicality and effectiveness, focusing on realistic solutions.

a realistic expectation

Stresses the importance of aligning expectations with what is actually achievable.

FAQs

How can I use "a sane level" in a sentence?

You can use "a sane level" to describe a reasonable or rational standard or degree of something. For example: "The goal is to bring spending back to "a sane level" after years of excess."

What are some alternatives to "a sane level"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a reasonable standard", "a rational degree", or "a sensible amount".

Is "a sane level" appropriate for formal writing?

While "a sane level" is generally acceptable, it might be better to use more precise and formal terms like "optimal level" or "acceptable threshold" in academic or business writing.

How does "a sane level" differ from "a normal level"?

"A sane level" implies a return to rationality or stability, often after a period of imbalance. "A normal level" simply refers to what is typical or average, without necessarily implying a previous state of abnormality.