be a reasonable response

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a reasonable response" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing whether a particular reply or action is appropriate or justifiable in a given context. Example: "In this situation, to refuse the request would be to be a reasonable response given the circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Immortality would be desirable; suicide could never be a reasonable response.

Yale University

Prosecution of some sort might be a reasonable response — but not calling in law enforcement.

The New York Times

"Up from what?" might be a reasonable response, which probably explains why this has received no attention.

The Economist

"Oh, grow up!" would be a reasonable response to "Double Album: Daniel Guzmán and Steven Shearer," an intermittently interesting but ultimately disappointing exhibition at the New Museum.

The New York Times - Arts

That'd be a reasonable response, if so many of the actual 2020 Democratic contenders hadn't already endorsed her Green New Deal — presumably because, as with Medicare-for-all, the slogan sounds nice, and they're terrified of crossing their base.

The Washington Post

But it can be a reasonable response to fear, when a person is worried they'll be stalked, for example, and the safest way to exit the relationship is to say nothing at all. 3.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

That is a reasonable response.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's a reasonable response," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

So what's a reasonable response?

The New Yorker

This is a reasonable response to a public health crisis.

The New York Times

Mandatory retirement is a reasonable response to this dilemma.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating if something could "be a reasonable response", consider the context, the involved parties' perspectives, and the potential consequences. A "reasonable response" isn't always the most popular, but it is justifiable.

Common error

Avoid assuming that what seems "reasonable" to you is universally so. Always consider cultural, situational, and personal differences that can influence perceptions of what constitutes a "reasonable response".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a reasonable response" primarily functions as a predicate nominative or adjective complement. It describes or characterizes a subject by indicating that an action, reaction, or decision is considered appropriate, logical, and justifiable within a given context. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be a reasonable response" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote an action or decision that is appropriate and justified. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is primarily found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. When using this phrase, remember to consider the subjectivity of "reasonableness" and account for different viewpoints. Consider alternatives like "be a logical response" or "makes sense" depending on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitute a fair reaction

Replaces 'reasonable' with 'fair' and 'response' with 'reaction', implying justness and appropriateness.

represent a sound answer

Substitutes 'reasonable response' with 'sound answer', focusing on the logic and validity of the reply.

form a justifiable reply

Replaces 'reasonable' with 'justifiable', emphasizing the defensibility of the reply.

serve as a valid counter

Changes 'reasonable response' to 'valid counter', highlighting its effectiveness in a discussion or argument.

amount to a logical retort

Employs 'logical retort' instead of 'reasonable response', stressing the rationality of the answer, retort might indicate more direct or sharp response.

be considered a balanced reaction

Uses 'balanced reaction' instead of 'reasonable response' to stress impartiality and equilibrium.

shape up as an adequate answer

Substitutes 'reasonable response' with 'adequate answer', suggesting a satisfactory but not necessarily exceptional reply.

be regarded a well-founded response

Emphasizes the solid basis of the response, implying it is based on facts or good reasoning.

act as a sensible answer

Replaces 'reasonable' with 'sensible', denoting practicality and good judgment in the answer.

be deemed an appropriate reaction

Employs 'appropriate reaction' instead of 'reasonable response' to stress suitability in a particular context or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "be a reasonable response" in a sentence?

You can use "be a reasonable response" to describe an action or reaction that is appropriate and justified in a given situation. For example, "Considering the circumstances, apologizing would "be a reasonable response"".

What's a less formal way to say "be a reasonable response"?

In more informal contexts, you could say something like "seems fair", "makes sense", or "is understandable" instead of ""be a reasonable response"".

Is "be a reasonable response" subjective?

Yes, what constitutes a ""be a reasonable response"" can be subjective and depend on individual perspectives, cultural norms, and specific circumstances. Therefore, it's essential to consider different viewpoints.

What are some alternatives to "be a reasonable response" that emphasize logic?

If you want to emphasize the logical aspect, consider using phrases such as "be a logical response", "be a rational response", or "make sense".