appear reasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear reasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when assessing whether something seems logical or acceptable based on the information available. Example: "The proposed budget adjustments appear reasonable given the current economic conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The simulation results appear reasonable.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Compared with single-payer, these plans appear reasonable and realistic.

The New York Times

Spencer's slow oratorial style is designed to make his arguments appear reasonable and logical.

The Guardian

The reattribution terms appear reasonable and will benefit shareholders in the medium to long term.

The Guardian - Business

On television, Falwell tried to appear reasonable, a religious radical, but tolerant.

The Guardian

"I think this is an attempt to incur good will and appear reasonable".

The New York Times

At first glance, these measures could appear reasonable, fair and innocuous.

The Guardian - Opinion

And so, at first glance, it would appear reasonable to use VAMs to gauge teacher effectiveness.

The Washington Post

Wanting to appear reasonable, I said that an on-site hairdresser, dry cleaner, car wash and massage therapist were "nonessential".

The New York Times

"They may appear reasonable, but are nonetheless nearly twice to more than three times more expensive than pre-Virgin.

The Guardian - Money

The aim of such policies may appear reasonable: promote integration by obliging immigrants to become fully adapted members of society.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating plans or proposals, use "appear reasonable" to express initial acceptance, while implying the need for further scrutiny. For instance, "The proposed cost-cutting measures appear reasonable, but a detailed analysis is still required."

Common error

Avoid overuse of "appear reasonable" in highly formal or critical contexts. Opt for stronger terms like "demonstrate validity" or "establish justification" when conveying certainty is crucial. For example, instead of "The findings appear reasonable", use "The findings demonstrate validity."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear reasonable" functions as a qualifying statement, softening a judgment by expressing that something seems logical or acceptable based on initial assessment. Ludwig AI confirms the proper usage of the expression. It doesn't assert a definitive conclusion but suggests a preliminary positive evaluation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appear reasonable" serves as a crucial tool for expressing tentative agreement or initial acceptance. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is considered grammatically correct and is most frequently found in news and scientific contexts. When writing, remember that while "appear reasonable" is versatile, overuse in very formal contexts may weaken your statement. Alternatives like "seem sensible" or "sound plausible" can add nuance to your writing. Using this phrase correctly can improve your clarity and precision when assessing new information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem sensible

Emphasizes the practicality and sound judgment of something.

seem justifiable

Highlights the defensibility and legitimacy of something.

sound plausible

Focuses on the believability and credibility of something.

hold water

Suggests that an argument or explanation is valid and coherent.

ring true

Implies that something feels authentic and genuine.

stand to reason

Indicates that something is logical and expected.

cut the mustard

Suggests that something meets the required standard or expectation.

pass muster

Indicates that something has been approved or accepted after scrutiny.

be convincing

Highlights the persuasive nature of an argument or explanation.

look legitimate

Focuses on the apparent legality and validity of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "appear reasonable" to express that something seems logical or acceptable based on the available information. For example, "The proposed solution to the problem does "appear reasonable" given the constraints."

What are some alternatives to "appear reasonable"?

You can use alternatives like "seem sensible", "sound plausible", or "be convincing" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "appears reasonable" or "appear reasonable"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "appears reasonable" for singular subjects (e.g., "The plan appears reasonable") and "appear reasonable" for plural subjects (e.g., "The arguments appear reasonable").

What is the difference between "appear reasonable" and "is reasonable"?

"Appear reasonable" suggests a preliminary assessment based on initial impressions, while "is reasonable" implies a more definitive judgment after thorough evaluation. For example, "At first glance, the terms "appear reasonable", but a detailed review is necessary to confirm that the terms "are reasonable"."