reasonable basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the justification or foundation for a decision, belief, or action. Example: "The committee found that there was a reasonable basis for the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The distinction made must have reasonable basis.

Cornell University

Indeed, I have no reasonable basis for doing so.

The Guardian

On what reasonable basis could anyone be excluded?

The New Yorker

That debate provides a reasonable basis for public deliberation.

The Washington Post

Once again, the Court was not presented with evidence of a reasonable basis for these fears.

The New York Times

"This provides a reasonable basis for us to work on," said a spokesman.

The Guardian

The rules say that price objectives for a stock should be made "with a reasonable basis".

The New York Times

Failure to do so would be a reasonable basis to deny a press pass, Karle said.

The Washington Post

These costs are allocated to benefitted agencies on some reasonable basis.

Cornell University

One of the most difficult problems in taxing property is determining a reasonable basis of assessment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The question is whether Mr Piketty had a reasonable basis for making the judgments he did.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable basis", ensure that the context clearly establishes what constitutes 'reasonable' within the specific situation you're describing. Providing supporting evidence or context can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable basis" without establishing context or acknowledging potential differing perspectives. What seems reasonable to one party might not be to another. Be specific about the criteria for reasonableness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable basis" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It indicates the existence of a justification, rationale, or acceptable foundation for a belief, action, or decision. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonable basis" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to justify or validate an action, belief, or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, the phrase maintains a neutral to professional register. When employing "reasonable basis", ensure the context clarifies what is deemed 'reasonable' and support your argument with evidence. Alternatives like "valid justification" or "sound rationale" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiable reason

Focuses more on the justification being morally or legally sound.

valid justification

Emphasizes the legitimacy and soundness of the provided reason.

sound rationale

Highlights the logical and well-reasoned nature of the basis.

legitimate grounds

Implies that the basis is recognized and accepted as lawful or proper.

valid reason

A more general term for an acceptable explanation.

good cause

Suggests a morally or legally sufficient reason.

adequate grounds

Focuses on whether the basis is sufficient or satisfactory.

sufficient justification

Highlights the adequacy of the provided explanation or support.

plausible explanation

Indicates the basis is believable and likely to be true.

tenable argument

Implies that the basis is defensible and able to be maintained against attack.

FAQs

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

Use "reasonable basis" to indicate that there's a valid and justifiable reason for a particular action, belief, or decision. For example, "The judge determined that the police had a reasonable basis for the search."

What's a good alternative to "reasonable basis"?

Alternatives include "valid justification", "sound rationale", or "legitimate grounds", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "very reasonable basis"?

While not strictly redundant, "very reasonable basis" can often be simplified to "strong basis" or "compelling basis" for better clarity and impact.

What is the difference between "reasonable basis" and "rational basis"?

"Reasonable basis" is a general term indicating a justifiable reason, while "rational basis" often refers to a specific standard of judicial review where a law is upheld if it's rationally related to a legitimate government interest.