as reasonably practicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as reasonably practicable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where one is discussing the extent to which something can be done within practical limits, often in legal or safety-related documents. Example: "The company will ensure that all safety measures are implemented as reasonably practicable to protect the health of its employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For those cases, both the "As Low As Reasonably Practicable" principle and the "Reasonable Alternative Design" standard were applied for judging if the risk associated with the Critical Hazards were tolerable or not and if state of the art measures for reducing the risk were applied adequately.

Safety Science

Your rights are subject to having informed your employer of the reason for your absence as soon as reasonably practicable (unless it is an emergency, in which case it should be on your return to work), and saying how long you expect to be absent.

The Guardian - Money

The administrator plans to begin returning money to British customers "as soon as reasonably practicable".

The New York Times

A financial institution must implement a consumer's revocation of consent as soon as reasonably practicable.

Cornell University

The charges will be referred to a judicial commissioner for adjudication to "hold a hearing as soon as reasonably practicable".

The Guardian - Sport

They are used to reduce any potential incidents in the process plant to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) level.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

The cost of risk reduction is discussed and the concept of ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable).

Reliability, Maintainability and Risk Practical Methods for Engineers including Reliability Centred Maintenance and Safety-Related Systems

It is also critical for ensuring that the risks of a major accident are as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

Process Safety and Environmental Protection

In its judgment, the supreme court stressed that local authorities had a statutory duty to provide accommodation in their own area "so far as reasonably practicable".

The Guardian

The terms of reference for the review include a commitment that ministers will publish the report by laying it before parliament as soon as reasonably practicable.

The Guardian

Upon delivery, you must examine the Vouchers and give written notice to us of any damage, defect or shortage as soon as reasonably practicable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as reasonably practicable" in legal or safety contexts, ensure you define what constitutes 'reasonable' and 'practicable' within that specific situation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "as reasonably practicable" when an action is not truly feasible. It's important the 'practicable' element is genuinely achievable, not just theoretically possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as reasonably practicable" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the extent to which an action can or should be carried out. Ludwig AI indicates that it commonly appears in legal, safety, and regulatory contexts to qualify obligations or requirements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as reasonably practicable" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to qualify actions by considering practical limitations. Ludwig AI data confirms its frequent use in legal, safety, and regulatory contexts. It balances the ideal with the achievable and is most often found in formal settings, particularly in science, news, and academic sources. When using this phrase, it's essential to define what 'reasonable' and 'practicable' mean in the specific context to avoid ambiguity. Remember that overstating what is achievable can undermine the intent of the statement. Alternative phrases like "as reasonably achievable" or "to the extent feasible" can provide similar meaning while emphasizing different aspects of feasibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as reasonably achievable

Focuses on the possibility of attainment, emphasizing the realistic prospects of achieving a specific goal.

as reasonably practical

Highlights the practicality of an action, stressing that it should be sensible and realistic in its application.

as reasonably attainable

Emphasizes the feasibility of reaching a certain standard or target, suggesting it is within realistic reach.

as reasonably possible

Indicates that an action should be done to the greatest extent that is realistically allowable.

to the extent feasible

Specifies that actions should be taken only to the degree that they are realistically capable of being done.

as far as is realistically possible

Indicates actions should be done to the maximum extent allowed by real-world constraints.

within reasonable limits

Implies actions are constrained by what is sensible and not excessive.

within the bounds of reason

Suggests actions should be guided by sound judgment and logical thought.

wherever feasible

Highlights actions should be taken if and only if they can be done practically.

subject to practical constraints

Specifies that actions are dependent on and limited by real-world restrictions and limitations.

FAQs

What does "as reasonably practicable" mean in a legal context?

In legal settings, "as reasonably practicable" typically means that an action must be taken unless the costs (in terms of time, money, and effort) are grossly disproportionate to the benefits gained. This principle is often used in health and safety regulations.

When should I use "as reasonably practicable" in my writing?

Use "as reasonably practicable" when you want to indicate that an action should be performed unless it is excessively difficult, expensive, or dangerous. It's often used to set a standard that balances ideal outcomes with real-world limitations.

What are some alternatives to "as reasonably practicable"?

You can use alternatives like "as reasonably achievable", "as reasonably practical", or "to the extent feasible" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "as reasonably practicable" differ from "as soon as possible"?

"As soon as possible" implies acting without delay, while "as reasonably practicable" allows for consideration of practical constraints, costs, and risks. The latter phrase focuses on a balance between urgency and feasibility.