deem reasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

"deem reasonable" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when presenting a judgment about something, such as a decision, an opinion, or a conclusion. Example sentence: After carefully considering the situation, the judge deemed the sentence imposed reasonable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Let it bring the money home at a rate Apple and other companies would deem reasonable.

The New York Times

Nor should public deliberation be temporally limited by the span of a moratorium or narrowed to topics that experts deem reasonable to debate.

The Guardian

The Copyright Act places discretion in the court to "grant temporary and final injunctions on such terms as it may deem reasonable to prevent or restrain infringement of a copyright". 17 U.S.C. § 502(a).

Harvard University

Khan is hoping to incentivise developers to maximise what they deem "reasonable" by effectively telling them that if they are prepared to meet the affordable level he sets down in the SPG, he will help to speed them on their way.

The Guardian

It is all too possible that minority political or religious expressions would be widely repressed under a doctrine of the greater good imposed by a collective of governments claiming to know what's best, limiting what may be expressed online to whatever, say, the United Nations General Assembly, the European Union, or the Arab League, might deem reasonable.

The New York Times

The same subsection empowers the court to order impounding "on such terms as it may deem reasonable". The present Supreme Court rules with respect to seizure and impounding were issued even though there is no specific provision authorizing them in the copyright statute, and there appears no need for including a special provision on the point in the bill.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But it allows what it deems reasonable restrictions.

The Washington Post

The median amount students deemed reasonable was $10,000 over four years of college.

Stanford University

It pays for any treatment that it deems reasonable and effective.

The New York Times

Under the modern Indian Constitution, freedom of speech is highly qualified, subject to what the government deems "reasonable" restrictions.

The New York Times

This is deemed reasonable given that the drilling fluid has longer contact with the formation at the heel of the well, causing more formation damage.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deem reasonable", ensure the context clearly defines who is making the judgment and on what basis. This adds clarity and authority to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "deem reasonable" in casual conversation or informal writing. It is generally more appropriate for formal reports, legal documents, or academic papers. In everyday speech, simpler alternatives like "think it's okay" or "consider it fair" are often better choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deem reasonable" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'deem' acts as a transitive verb meaning to judge or consider in a specific way, and 'reasonable' serves as its object complement, describing the quality being assessed. Ludwig provides examples showcasing this usage in legal, business, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

36%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deem reasonable" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses a formal judgment or assessment of acceptability. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Academia contexts, indicating a formal register. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. To enhance clarity, specifying who is making the judgment is a recommended best practice. Consider using alternatives like "consider acceptable" or "regard as justifiable" depending on the nuance needed. Avoid overusing the phrase in informal contexts to maintain appropriateness. Ludwig provides many examples that can guide the user.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine suitable

Focuses on the act of determining suitability for a particular purpose.

consider acceptable

Focuses more on acceptance rather than a judgment of reasonableness.

assess as appropriate

Centers on appropriateness, implying suitability for a specific context.

regard as justifiable

Emphasizes the aspect of justification or permissibility.

view as adequate

Stresses sufficiency or meeting a minimum requirement.

judge as fair

Highlights fairness as the primary criterion of evaluation.

find satisfactory

Indicates that something meets a certain level of satisfaction.

believe is sensible

Implies a personal belief in the good sense or rationality of something.

accept as legitimate

Highlights the acceptance of something as lawful or rightful.

hold to be valid

Emphasizes the validity or legitimacy of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "deem reasonable" to express a formal judgment or assessment, such as "The court "deemed reasonable" the proposed settlement." or "The committee "deemed reasonable" the cost estimates."

What are some alternatives to "deem reasonable"?

Some alternatives to "deem reasonable" include "consider acceptable", "regard as justifiable", or "judge as fair", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "deem reasonable" or "consider reasonable"?

"Deem reasonable" is more formal and suggests a more authoritative judgment than "consider reasonable". Use "deem" when the judgment carries weight or authority, such as in legal or official contexts; use "consider" in more general situations.

What's the difference between "deem reasonable" and "find reasonable"?

"Deem reasonable" implies a formal assessment or judgment, while "find reasonable" suggests a discovery or conclusion based on available information. For example, a judge might "deem reasonable" a contract clause, while an auditor might "find reasonable" certain expenses after reviewing documentation.