reasonable bounds

USAGE SUMMARY

"reasonable bounds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to limits and expectations that are both realistic and acceptable. For example, "We set reasonable bounds for our employee's hours, allowing them to have a healthy work-life balance while still completing the necessary tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Within reasonable bounds he will respect local government's autonomy.

The Guardian

The president has a right, within reasonable bounds, to name individuals whose philosophy he finds compatible.

The New York Times

"Mr Limbaugh, with his highly personal attacks on Miss Fluke, overstepped any reasonable bounds of decency.

The Guardian

Therefore the growth of ivy on trees should be kept within reasonable bounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We're losing one of the court's strongest leaders on the side of limiting executive power to reasonable bounds.

The New York Times

The government has sought to keep the balance-of-payments deficit within reasonable bounds by slowing the economy.

The Economist

During his campaign, President-elect George W. Bush promised to modernize America's armed forces while keeping his defense budget within reasonable bounds.

The New York Times

Senators John McCain and Barack Obama have both pledged to update the public financing system to keep spending in future elections within reasonable bounds.

The New York Times

Mr Eichengreen has made a decent job of weaving different national shades into his book, while keeping the whole within reasonable bounds.

The Economist

If the current-account gap is kept within reasonable bounds, and the investments are productive, this should present no problem; fast-growing countries typically import capital.

The Economist

For example, Congress arguably did stretch the constitution's commerce clause beyond reasonable bounds when it passed the school-gun law, which has little to do with interstate trade.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing parameters in a scientific or technical context, ensure that your definition of "reasonable bounds" is clearly defined and quantifiable to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the numerical range or criteria that determine what is considered reasonable.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable bounds" as a vague placeholder for actual defined limits. Instead of saying "keep costs within reasonable bounds", specify a concrete budget range. This provides clarity and prevents misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable bounds" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a preposition (e.g., "within reasonable bounds"). It defines a scope or range considered acceptable or justifiable given certain criteria.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonable bounds" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express the concept of acceptable limits or expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from various sources, including News & Media and Science, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to provide concrete definitions or criteria to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "acceptable limits" or "justifiable limits" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Overall, "reasonable bounds" is a versatile and useful phrase for setting expectations and defining scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acceptable limits

Focuses on the acceptability of the limits, rather than their reasonableness.

justifiable limits

Emphasizes the justification for the limits being in place.

fair constraints

Highlights the fairness of the imposed constraints.

sensible restrictions

Stresses the sensibility and practicality of the restrictions.

appropriate boundaries

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the established boundaries.

permissible parameters

Focuses on the permissibility of the defined parameters.

tolerable range

Highlights the range of tolerance for a given variable.

realistic expectations

Shifts the focus to expectations that are achievable.

prudent limitations

Stresses the prudence and careful consideration behind the limitations.

logical restrictions

Emphasizes that the restrictions are based on logic.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonable bounds" to describe limits or expectations that are realistic and acceptable, such as, "The company aims to keep its expenses within "reasonable bounds" to ensure profitability".

What are some alternatives to "reasonable bounds"?

Some alternatives to "reasonable bounds" include "acceptable limits", "justifiable limits", or "fair constraints", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "reasonable bounds"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "reasonable bounds". It's a common and accepted phrase in English to describe limits that are fair and logical.

In what kind of situations is "reasonable bounds" typically used?

"Reasonable bounds" is commonly used in contexts where you need to set limits or expectations that are realistic and achievable, such as in project management, financial planning, or scientific research.