reasonable assurance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable assurance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as auditing, risk management, or compliance to indicate a level of confidence that is not absolute but is sufficient for decision-making. Example: "The auditor provided reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

One reason this area is at risk is that the department does not have reasonable assurance that all revenues are being collected.

The New York Times

Auditors said documents at three developments provided "reasonable assurance" that tenants awarded apartments were appropriately selected.

The New York Times

MadBid engaged accountant BDO to "provide reasonable assurance" about the claims it makes on its website.

The Guardian - Money

An aide to Mr. Bond said the safeguards provided "a reasonable assurance that only live human beings will vote".

The New York Times

The commission declared the plan "satisfactory" and said it provided a "reasonable assurance of adequate protection" in a nuclear emergency.

The New York Times

"I want more than reasonable assurance that it won't move," Campbell said, allowing only that he would not mind New York's having a "satellite office".

The New York Times - Sports

"We are here only to give the Swiss government reasonable assurance that this man will be available for extradition," he said.

The New York Times

The auditors, Friehling & Horowitz, said in a fiscal 2007 audit that Mr. Madoff's financial statements gave "reasonable assurance" they were "free of material misstatement".

The New York Times

One attested to Arthur Andersen's opinion that Enron's internal accounting system "was adequate to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of financial statements".

The New York Times

Two elements make for a successful world title tournament: easy access for all eligible competitors and reasonable assurance that they will be safe.

The New York Times

The best any auditor can provide, even under the most-favourable circumstances, is a reasonable assurance of the accuracy of the financial reports.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable assurance", clearly define the scope and limitations of the assurance being provided. This helps to manage expectations and avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable assurance" when you mean absolute certainty. "Reasonable assurance" implies a level of confidence that is not guaranteed, while absolute certainty suggests a complete absence of doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable assurance" functions as a noun phrase. It often acts as the object of a verb (e.g., provide, give, have) or follows a preposition (e.g., of, for). The phrase is used to describe a level of confidence or certainty that is not absolute but is considered sufficient for a particular purpose, as Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonable assurance" is a commonly used phrase that conveys a level of confidence which isn't absolute, but it's sufficient for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in contexts like auditing, risk management, and compliance. It's crucial to define the scope and limitations of the assurance to avoid misunderstandings. The phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, with sources like The New York Times and The Guardian being frequent users. While it suggests a high level of confidence, it's important to distinguish it from absolute certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient certainty

Emphasizes the adequacy of the certainty level, focusing on whether it meets requirements.

adequate guarantee

Highlights the sufficiency of the guarantee provided.

satisfactory level of confidence

Focuses on the acceptability of the confidence level.

sound expectation

Highlights the justification and basis for the expectation.

well-founded anticipation

Stresses the solid basis for the anticipation.

credible promise

Emphasizes the believability and trustworthiness of the promise.

justifiable hope

Indicates that the hope is based on reasonable grounds.

plausible expectation

Focuses on the believability and likelihood of the expectation.

workable certainty

Focuses on the practicality and applicability of the certainty.

tenable confidence

Emphasizes the defensibility and validity of the confidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonable assurance" to express a level of confidence that something is true or will happen, without absolute certainty. For example, "The audit provides "reasonable assurance" that the financial statements are free from material misstatement".

What are some alternatives to "reasonable assurance"?

Alternatives include "sufficient certainty", "adequate guarantee", or "satisfactory level of confidence", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "reasonable assurance" and "absolute guarantee"?

"Reasonable assurance" implies a high level of confidence but acknowledges the possibility of error, while "absolute guarantee" suggests complete certainty, which is often unrealistic. "Reasonable assurance" is more practical and commonly used.

When is it appropriate to use "reasonable assurance"?

Use "reasonable assurance" when you want to convey a strong level of confidence based on available evidence, but you cannot provide an absolute guarantee. This is common in auditing, risk management, and compliance contexts.