reasonable and proper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable and proper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, decisions, or behaviors that are deemed appropriate and justifiable in a given context. Example: "The committee's decision to allocate funds was both reasonable and proper, considering the needs of the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He continued: "If you really want to free Afghanistan from foreigners or bring justice to the people of Afghanistan, please appear in a political shape: come with logical reasons for the people to follow you, present a reasonable and proper solution for all these conflicts, get rid of corruption and I will support you, the people of Afghanistan will support you.

The New York Times

"It is entirely reasonable and proper, if we are putting money into banks, that it must be there to lend and support the economy, not to shoot out the other end on unjustified bonuses.

The Guardian - Business

Five detectives, who are shown in the film discussing what to do with the dying man as he lay slumped on the floor of the custody suite, have been suspended and are awaiting trial accused of misconduct in public office by failing to take reasonable and proper care of him.

The Guardian

He pointed to the law governing employment relationships, which says: "The employer must not, without reasonable and proper cause, conduct itself in a manner calculated and likely to destroy or seriously damage the relationship of trust and confidence between employer and employee".

The Guardian - Sport

In the US, the state of Montana only started enforcing speed limits in 1999 – after the state Supreme Court decided that the previous law counting on citizens to drive at a "reasonable and proper" speed was too vague.

BBC

On opening, there was no fixed speed limit on the highway; drivers were merely asked to keep to a "reasonable and proper" limit, although shortly afterward signs were erected in certain stretches indicating a maximum speed of 80 mph.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

If a reasonable fit-and-proper person tests had been in place, all manner of charlatans would never have swanned around Scottish football's boardrooms down the years.

The Guardian - Sport

Home care was provided by the local authority's home help service and, in my experience, staff received reasonable pay and proper training.

The Guardian

But the court said the commission had shown that the exemption was "a reasonable, necessary and proper exercise" of its authority.

The New York Times

In reasonable doses and proper circumstances, Laphroaig can be delicious, but its popularity is a mixed blessing for the industry, because whisky neophytes who try Laphroaig and hate it may never return.

The New Yorker

With a reasonable configuration and proper reinforcement, the protective structure could sustain a specified level of blast without global failure.

Computers & Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable and proper", ensure that both aspects are genuinely fulfilled; something can be reasonable but not necessarily proper, and vice versa.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable and proper" when a single word like "appropriate" or "justifiable" adequately conveys the intended meaning, preventing unnecessary wordiness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable and proper" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun by ascribing to it the qualities of being both justifiable and appropriate. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in legal, ethical, and practical contexts, confirming its role in describing actions and decisions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonable and proper" is a compound adjective signifying that something is both justifiable and appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples showcasing its usage across diverse contexts, from legal matters to general conduct. While generally neutral to formal in register, it can appear in news media, science, and wiki articles. To avoid redundancy, consider alternatives like "fair and appropriate". Be mindful that an action being reasonable doesn't automatically make it proper, and vice-versa. Thus, remember to use "reasonable and proper" when both logic and ethics align.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fair and appropriate

Replaces "reasonable" with "fair" and "proper" with "appropriate", suggesting impartiality and suitability.

just and fitting

Substitutes "reasonable" with "just" and "proper" with "fitting", implying moral correctness and suitability.

suitable and correct

Replaces "reasonable" with "suitable" and "proper" with "correct", indicating appropriateness and accuracy.

appropriate and legitimate

Substitutes "reasonable" with "appropriate" and "proper" with "legitimate", suggesting suitability and lawfulness.

sound and appropriate

Replaces "reasonable" with "sound" emphasizing the logic behind the reasoning. It also replaces "proper" with "appropriate", suggesting impartiality and suitability.

sensible and fitting

Replaces "reasonable" with "sensible" and "proper" with "fitting", emphasizing practicality and suitability.

justifiable and suitable

Substitutes "reasonable" with "justifiable" and "proper" with "suitable", highlighting the defensibility and appropriateness.

legitimate and correct

Replaces "reasonable" with "legitimate" and "proper" with "correct", indicating lawfulness and accuracy.

valid and appropriate

Substitutes "reasonable" with "valid" and "proper" with "appropriate", suggesting soundness and suitability.

acceptable and suitable

Replaces "reasonable" with "acceptable" and "proper" with "suitable", emphasizing permissibility and appropriateness.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonable and proper" in a sentence?

You can use "reasonable and proper" to describe actions or decisions that are both justifiable and appropriate in a given situation. For instance, "The committee's decision was both reasonable and proper, given the circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "reasonable and proper"?

Alternatives to "reasonable and proper" include "fair and appropriate", "just and fitting", or "suitable and correct" depending on the specific context.

Is "reasonable and proper" a formal or informal expression?

"Reasonable and proper" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for use in professional, academic, and journalistic contexts.

What does it mean for something to be both "reasonable and proper"?

For something to be "reasonable and proper" means that it is both logically justifiable and ethically or morally appropriate. It satisfies both practical and ethical considerations.