Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

reasonable by

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable by" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a standard or criterion of reasonableness, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "The decision was deemed reasonable by the committee after thorough review."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

An interesting reason was offered, and is accepted as reasonable by scholarship and commentary.

"I usually don't take sugar in my tea," David said, slower, moderated, trying his best to sound reasonable by employing a reasonable voice, "so there was no reason for me to look here.

News & Media

Vice

Houston's new Enron Field is reasonable by these standards.

Its $30 price is reasonable by Hamptons standards.

News & Media

The New York Times

And for $11, quite reasonable by Open standards.

News & Media

The New York Times

Choosing the 850 calorie regular bun will look reasonable by comparison.

News & Media

The New York Times

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan called the settlement "eminently reasonable by any standard".

News & Media

The New York Times

And so "the prices are very reasonable by comparison" to those in the Hamptons, he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

But it's clear it's been hyped beyond anything reasonable by the Government and the industry".

News & Media

Independent

Now Obama will get back some of the independents because he seems reasonable by comparison.

News & Media

The New York Times

A book thus conceived cannot be made more reasonable by diplomatic editing.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable by", ensure the context clearly indicates whose standards or criteria are being applied. For example, "The price is reasonable by local standards" clarifies the point of reference.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable by" without specifying the relevant standard or comparison. Saying "It's reasonable by..." helps avoid ambiguity and makes your statement more precise.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable by" typically functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies an adjective or noun. It specifies the standard or criteria against which something is considered reasonable. It's crucial to explicitly define the benchmark for comparison. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is incorrect because it requires more context to be clear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "reasonable by" appears frequently across diverse contexts—ranging from news and media to scientific publications—Ludwig AI points out the phrase is not correct and it requires more context to be clear. It functions to specify the standards against which something is deemed acceptable or justifiable. For clarity and grammatical accuracy, always explicitly state the reference point following "reasonable by" (e.g., "reasonable by industry standards"). Alternatives such as "acceptable according to" or "justifiable under" may offer improved formality and precision in certain contexts. Always remember, specifying the benchmark is crucial for effective communication.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "reasonable by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "justifiable according to", "acceptable under", or "permissible within". For example, instead of "The decision was reasonable by their standards", try "The decision was justifiable according to their standards".

What does it mean when something is described as "reasonable by" a certain standard?

It means that the subject in question meets the criteria or expectations defined by that particular standard. For instance, if something is "reasonable by industry standards", it aligns with what is commonly accepted or expected in that industry.

What are some alternatives to "reasonable by" that emphasize fairness?

If you want to emphasize fairness, alternatives such as "fair based on", or "equitable considering" can be used. For example, instead of saying "The settlement was reasonable by legal standards", you could say "The settlement was fair based on legal standards".

Is it always necessary to specify the reference point after "reasonable by"?

Yes, specifying the reference point (e.g., "reasonable by industry standards", "reasonable by local customs") is crucial for clarity. Omitting it can lead to ambiguity and confusion about whose standards are being applied.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: