looks reasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks reasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when assessing or evaluating something, indicating that it appears to be acceptable or logical. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, it looks reasonable to proceed with the project as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

An advantage of such an approach is that it is easy to interpret for humans, making it possible to verify that a learned model looks reasonable.

Security Informatics

"This requirement, which on its face looks reasonable, is for some reason highly controversial," he said in his veto message.

The New York Times

It looks reasonable".

The New York Times - Sports

This works out at £267 for each member of your group, which looks reasonable.

Independent

"The equity market looks reasonable, assuming the economy continues to expand".

The New York Times

The process looks reasonable on paper, but it leaves scope for interference.

The Economist

If the world economy sustains its current pace of growth, that forecast looks reasonable.

The Economist

Ms. Franklin thinks that at 19,920 Spanish pesetas ($128.27), the stock still looks reasonable.

The New York Times

"The Japanese are able to deal with the part that looks reasonable".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This overall compound-flow looks reasonable for an ideal metabolism of a living cell.

BMC Systems Biology

The sustained power figure looks reasonable if you look at the figures Chris Boardman and others have done for the hour record.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looks reasonable", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the specific aspect you are evaluating – whether it's logic, fairness, or acceptability.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "looks reasonable" without providing supporting details. Enhance your evaluation by including specific reasons why something appears reasonable to strengthen your argument or analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks reasonable" functions primarily as a subject complement, describing the state or quality of a subject. It provides an assessment that something appears logical, acceptable, or justifiable based on available information. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in evaluating plans, forecasts, or estimates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks reasonable" is a common and generally correct way to express a preliminary assessment of something as logical or acceptable. According to Ludwig, it functions as a subject complement, often used to evaluate proposals, estimates, or plans in various contexts, including news, science, and business. While grammatically sound, writers should avoid overusing this vague assessment and strive to provide specific reasons for their judgment. Alternatives such as "seems sensible" or "appears logical" may offer more precision depending on the specific context. The sources indicate a neutral register, but more formal settings might require more detailed analysis and vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems sensible

Focuses more on the logical aspect of the assessment.

appears logical

Emphasizes the rational and coherent nature of something.

sounds plausible

Highlights the believability of a claim or explanation.

seems justifiable

Focuses on the defensibility and validity of an action or decision.

appears acceptable

Indicates something meets the required standards or expectations.

seems fair

Implies impartiality and ethical considerations in the assessment.

appears valid

Highlights the accuracy and well-founded nature of something.

sounds convincing

Focuses on the persuasive quality of an argument or proposition.

appears legitimate

Emphasizes the legality or authenticity of something.

seems adequate

Suggests that something is sufficient or satisfactory for a specific purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "looks reasonable" to express that something seems logical or acceptable after evaluation. For example, "The proposed budget "looks reasonable" after revisions".

What can I say instead of "looks reasonable"?

Alternatives include "seems sensible", "appears logical", or "sounds plausible" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "looks reasonable" in formal writing?

It's appropriate when assessing plans, proposals, or data where a preliminary judgment of acceptability or logic is needed. Use more specific language if a deeper analysis is required.

What's the difference between "looks reasonable" and "is reasonable"?

"Looks reasonable" suggests a preliminary assessment based on initial observation, while "is reasonable" implies a more definitive conclusion after thorough examination.