clear and sensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear and sensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is easy to understand and logical or reasonable. Example: "The instructions provided were clear and sensible, making it easy for everyone to follow along."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's a question of crossing your fingers and hoping that they've written something clear and sensible.

The Guardian

"The amendment adopted by the House of Lords provides a clear and sensible mechanism to deal with illegal websites," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

There is a considerable body of people just now who are asking for some kind of clear and sensible engagement to be evidently disclosed in contemporary plays.

The Guardian

Stokes had clear and sensible ideas about the cars required, not overly cheap but "small, comfortable, fairly sophisticated, and capable of doing a lot of miles to a gallon of petrol".

Independent

In response, the BPI said that the amendment a "clear and sensible" way to deal with illegal downloading – but not that it had been the source of the draft version.

The Guardian - Tech

Responding to the letter, the chief executive of UK music industry body the BPI, Geoff Taylor, said that the amendment provided a "clear and sensible" way of dealing with illegal downloading.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But the advice he offers is uniformly clear, instructive and sensible.

The New York Times

She wears St John knits and Prada shoes, clear nails, and sensible hair... She's not as happy as me!" Williams makes a camp little sound, like a cat, and laughs a little lower, a little louder.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The petition also argues that the requirement for "substantially different" submissions is vague and confusing: "We need clear, unequivocal and sensible guidance on this point".

Science Magazine

In general we found the GRADE approach to be clear, understandable and sensible.

BMC Health Services Research

The book's argument is clear and perfectly sensible: that a child's innate curiosity about the workings of the natural world should be encouraged, and then respected when that curiosity extends to the workings of human life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear and sensible", ensure the context provides specific examples of what makes something both understandable and reasonable to reinforce your point.

Common error

Avoid using "clear and sensible" in overly abstract or vague situations where the meaning is not immediately apparent. Always ground the phrase in specific, concrete details to ensure clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear and sensible" functions primarily as a compound adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are both easily understood and display good judgment or practicality. Ludwig AI shows that is suitable in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear and sensible" is a useful and commonly employed adjective phrase to describe something that is easily understood and shows good judgment. Ludwig AI validates that it's mostly used in neutral contexts, such as News & Media, where clear communication is important. When using "clear and sensible", ensure the context and specific examples provide clarity and practicality. Remember to avoid overusing it in abstract situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understandable and sensible

Replaces "clear" with a synonym focusing on ease of comprehension.

unequivocal and sensible

Replaces "clear" with a stronger synonym emphasizing the absence of ambiguity.

lucid and rational

Substitutes both words with synonyms emphasizing clarity and logical thinking.

clear and rational

Substitutes "sensible" with a word implying reason-based and logical.

clear and sound

Replaces "sensible" with a synonym that highlights the solidity and reliability of the idea.

coherent and reasonable

Uses different adjectives to express the ideas of logical consistency and practical judgment.

straightforward and sensible

Replaces "clear" with a term indicating directness and simplicity.

clear and fair

Changes "sensible" to a synonym that emphasizing impartiality and justice.

well-defined and practical

Emphasizes the distinctness and applicability of the idea.

clear and sane

Substitutes "sensible" with a word indicating mental stability and reason.

FAQs

How can I use "clear and sensible" in a sentence?

You can use "clear and sensible" to describe a plan, explanation, or idea that is easy to understand and makes good sense. For example, "The proposed solution was both "straightforward and sensible", so it was quickly approved".

What are some alternatives to "clear and sensible"?

Alternatives include "understandable and sensible", "lucid and rational", or "coherent and reasonable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "clear and sensible" and "clear and logical"?

While similar, "clear and sensible" emphasizes understandability and practicality, whereas "clear and logical" focuses more on the structured, reasoned nature of something. "Clear and sensible" implies that something not only makes sense but is also reasonable or practical.

In what contexts is "clear and sensible" most appropriate?

"Clear and sensible" is suitable in a wide range of contexts, from describing policies and procedures to evaluating arguments or proposals. It is particularly effective when you want to highlight both the intelligibility and the reasonableness of something.