a sensible amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sensible amount" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a quantity or degree that is reasonable or appropriate in a given context. Example: "When budgeting for the project, we decided on a sensible amount to allocate for marketing expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Is $350m either enough, or a sensible amount to spend?

The Economist

There is also a sensible amount of silliness: "Sideways corduroy?

The Guardian - Books

Just say have a sensible amount of a really good sweet with real sugar in it".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Audio fingerprinting is accurate, robust and runs in a sensible amount of time," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

If a sensible amount of research had been done from the beginning, a drug for nvCJD might now be conceivable.

The Economist

Whether it's knowing how to cook an egg, get a sensible amount of sleep or organise a study schedule, adapting to university life can be challenging.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Alex Neil said a week's worth of the "sensible" amount of alcohol could be bought for less than £5.

BBC

Like his characters, Boswell doesn't always pay a sensible, measured amount of attention to the subject at hand.

The New York Times - Books

*** While Piers Morgan suggests 10 seconds as the sensible amount of time to process and dismiss any feelings of failure, in New York I meet a man for whom it's taken a little longer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Solar and wind energies are the need of the hour worldwide and their high penetration in electricity power grid cause sensible amount of problems (stick to the grid code of respective country) due to randomness and uncertain generation pattern.

Solar Energy

Prof Keith Richards, at the University of Cambridge and one of the researchers behind the two key scientific studies, said: "This is not a radical vegetarian argument; it is an argument about eating meat in sensible amounts as part of healthy, balanced diets".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions or recommendations, use "a sensible amount" to indicate a quantity that is effective without being wasteful or excessive. This clarifies expectations and prevents misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "a sensible amount" without context. Specify what the amount refers to, or what makes it sensible, to prevent vagueness and ensure your meaning is clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sensible amount" functions as a quantifier, specifying a reasonable or appropriate quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sensible amount" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a quantifier, indicating a reasonable and practical quantity. Ludwig confirms that this phrase appears in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. When using "a sensible amount", it's important to provide context to ensure clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "a reasonable quantity" or "an appropriate amount". The phrase is considered to have a neutral register, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable quantity

Replaces "amount" with "quantity", focusing on the countable aspect.

a practical quantity

Substitutes "sensible" with "practical", highlighting the usefulness of the amount.

a judicious quantity

Replaces "sensible" with "judicious", implying careful consideration.

a moderate quantity

Uses "moderate" instead of "sensible", suggesting an avoidance of extremes.

a suitable quantity

Replaces "sensible" with "suitable", emphasizing appropriateness for a specific purpose.

a fair quantity

Replaces "sensible" with "fair", highlighting the balance and justice of the amount.

an appropriate quantity

Replaces "sensible" with "appropriate", focusing on the suitability in a certain context.

a proportional quantity

Replaces "sensible" with "proportional", suggesting a proper relationship to something else.

a sufficient quantity

Replaces "sensible" with "sufficient", emphasizing that the amount is enough to meet a need.

an adequate quantity

Replaces "sensible" with "adequate", suggesting the amount is just enough.

FAQs

How can I use "a sensible amount" in a sentence?

Use "a sensible amount" to indicate a quantity that is considered appropriate or reasonable for a particular situation. For example, "It's important to allocate "a sensible amount" of time for studying each week."

What are some alternatives to using "a sensible amount"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a reasonable quantity", "a moderate amount", or "an appropriate quantity".

Is it better to use "sensible" or "reasonable" when describing an amount?

"Sensible" and "reasonable" are often interchangeable, but "sensible" implies practicality and good judgment, while "reasonable" focuses on fairness and logic. Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

What does it mean to use "a sensible amount" of something?

Using "a sensible amount" means using enough of something to be effective or sufficient, without being excessive or wasteful. It suggests a balanced and thoughtful approach.