commonsensical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'commonsensical' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use 'commonsensical' to describe something that is reasonable, sensible, and practical. For example, "I think it's commonsensical to set aside some money for a rainy day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the Downing Street new year message, David Cameron struck his favourite pose – an optimistic, commonsensical, level-headed man of the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

The particular problem that the PM highlighted – the rigid organisation of services around office hours – also fitted comfortably within the Cameronian commonsensical pitch.

The Guardian - Opinion

And not even Tony Blair in his guise of Platonic philosopher-king is able to quell all the superstitious or commonsensical fears that people feel when men in white coats monkey about with God's own potatoes.

The Economist

But while this link seems commonsensical, the reality is more complicated.

The Economist

America is not so exceptional that its people are impervious to the sin of envy, or to commonsensical notions about what is fair.

The Economist

Michael Chorny, a Russian-born metals magnate with a poor reputation, is thought still to be behind a newspaper that now lauds Simeon to the sky.Though most of the returning western bankers and lawyers seem sincere and commonsensical, others who have the king's ear are less widely trusted.

The Economist

Just as the electorate has made up its mind, however unfairly, that the Conservative Party leader is a dim, right-wing, no-hoper, so it has also concluded that Mr Kennedy, while not necessarily of prime ministerial calibre, is a moderate, commonsensical sort of chap.

The Economist

The advent of Dolly was therefore followed by the convening around the world of numerous committees of wise people, most of which reached the commonsensical conclusion that human cloning should be banned at least until the scientific and ethical implications of the technique were better understood.

The Economist

That is doubtless the aim of the chirpy Rosemarie Jarski, a former au pair and author of this compendium of household and other advice.Books filled with commonsensical tips on life and how to live it are numerous and mostly bad, with Martha Stewart's snobby and fiddly lifestyle guides being among the worst.

The Economist

Dr Yarkoni recruited a group of bloggers and correlated the frequencies of certain words and categories of word that they used in their blogs with their personality traits, as established by questionnaire.Some of the relations he found were commonsensical.

The Economist

The worst you can say about his approach is that it is merely commonsensical: decide the issues case-by-case while holding some idea of values and interests in mind.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commonsensical" when you want to convey that an idea, action, or decision is rooted in common sense and is practical or reasonable. It implies a lack of complexity or pretension.

Common error

While "commonsensical" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. In those contexts, more precise terms like "rational", "logical", or "evidence-based" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "commonsensical" primarily functions to describe a noun, indicating that it is based on or displays common sense. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this word is acceptable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing approaches, fears, and solutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commonsensical" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that describes something as based on common sense, practical, and easily understood. According to Ludwig AI, the word is suitable for written English. While acceptable in various contexts, it's most common in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, with authoritative sources like The Economist and The New Yorker frequently employing it. When writing, consider using "commonsensical" to convey simplicity and accessibility, but avoid overuse in highly formal contexts where more precise alternatives might be preferable. Related phrases like "sensible" and "practical" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensible

Focuses on possessing good sense and sound judgment.

practical

Emphasizes the usefulness and applicability of an idea or approach.

reasonable

Highlights the logical and rational nature of something.

pragmatic

Stresses a focus on real-world results and practical considerations.

down-to-earth

Suggests a grounded and realistic perspective.

realistic

Focuses on seeing things as they are, rather than how one wishes them to be.

sound

Implies reliability and good judgment.

logical

Highlights the adherence to principles of reasoning.

judicious

Emphasizes the exercise of good judgment and discretion.

well-reasoned

Implies that something is based on careful and thorough thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "commonsensical" in a sentence?

You can use "commonsensical" to describe something that is based on or displays common sense. For example, "It's a "commonsensical" approach to the problem".

What's a good alternative to "commonsensical"?

Alternatives to "commonsensical" include "sensible", "practical", or "reasonable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "commonsensical" in formal writing?

While "commonsensical" is generally acceptable, it may be more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "logical" or "rational".

What does "commonsensical" imply about an idea or action?

"Commonsensical" suggests that an idea or action is grounded in common sense, practical, and easily understood. It implies a lack of unnecessary complexity or pretension.