less than reasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than reasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, expectation, or demand that is considered unfair or not justified. Example: "The demands made by the client were less than reasonable, given the scope of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I would put the prospects of success at no more (but also no less) than "reasonable".

The Guardian

Ms. Giles never comes off as less than reasonable, so when she shuts down another panelist who keeps interrupting her, it's the show's comic center.

The New York Times

He rarely looked less than reasonable, and never more animated than when leading the police up the garden path (in both senses) or on a trip to nearby countryside.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On a morning after what was clearly a less than reasonable night, he wrote a letter to Bray that was as freewheeling as anything he ever wrote in English (where the brakes tended to be on – more than when he wrote in French).

The Guardian

So you wind up having the size of a tablet that's less than reasonable.

TechCrunch

There is, quite simply, not a shred of evidence to support the proposition that what patients are offered is less than reasonable compensation for their injuries.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The bad news is that the world is much less safe than reasonable people ten or twelve years ago had every right to hope it would be by now, and not only because of September 11th.

The New Yorker

He and his co-defendants, Officers Alex Cruz and Andrew Morales, could face other legal challenges in the coming months, both within the Police Department and in a civil trial in federal court, where the burden of proof is a preponderance of evidence — less than the reasonable doubt a jury in State Supreme Court had about their guilt.

The New York Times

"Mitel is entitled to recover damages adequate to compensate for that infringement in an amount that will be ascertained at trial, but in no event less than a reasonable royalty".

TechCrunch

Had precautionary action at a level of proof less than "beyond reasonable doubt" been acceptable to and applied by policy members of that era, many years of PCB use would have been avoided.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Effectiveness of participatory testing was as follows: 10/14 homes rated high in ability to engage with each test, 4/14 moderate; 12/14 homes undertook the testing in less than the reasonable threshold of two hours.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than reasonable", consider whether a stronger term like "unreasonable" or a more specific description would provide greater clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using multiple negations. Instead of saying something is "not less than reasonable", consider stating it directly as "excessive" or "outrageous" for improved clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than reasonable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a deficiency in reasonableness. Ludwig AI provides examples where it describes compensation, nights, or conclusions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than reasonable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that conveys a sense of inadequacy or deficiency in rationality, fairness, or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly employed across various contexts, including news media and scientific literature, with a neutral to formal tone. While alternatives like "unreasonable" or "excessive" might be more direct in certain situations, "less than reasonable" provides a nuanced way to express disapproval or criticism. When employing this phrase, consider the context and whether a stronger or more specific term might enhance clarity. Be mindful of avoiding multiple negations for enhanced impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unreasonable

Expresses a similar idea with a slightly weaker degree of unreasonableness.

not entirely justifiable

Focuses on the lack of justification rather than reasonableness.

scarcely rational

Highlights the lack of rationality in the situation.

hardly acceptable

Shifts the focus to acceptability rather than pure reasonableness.

not particularly sensible

Emphasizes the lack of good sense in the action or decision.

borderline absurd

Conveys a stronger sense of irrationality, nearing absurdity.

questionable judgment

Focuses on the judgment aspect, implying a flaw in decision-making.

somewhat inappropriate

Shifts the focus to appropriateness, suggesting a lack of suitability.

a bit excessive

Emphasizes that it surpasses an acceptable level.

out of line

Suggests a deviation from what is considered acceptable or appropriate behavior.

FAQs

What does "less than reasonable" mean?

The phrase "less than reasonable" implies something is not fair, justified, or sensible. It suggests a deficiency in rationality or acceptability.

How can I use "less than reasonable" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe demands, expectations, or behaviors that are unfair or unjustified. For example, "The client's demands were "less than reasonable" given the budget constraints."

What are some alternatives to "less than reasonable"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "unreasonable", "excessive", "unjustified", or "inappropriate".

Is it better to say "less than reasonable" or simply "unreasonable"?

While both are grammatically correct, "unreasonable" is often more direct and concise. "Less than reasonable" can be used when you want to soften the criticism slightly or emphasize the degree of unreasonableness.