reasonable care

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable care" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to legal obligations, safety standards, or general responsibility. An example is: "The company must exercise reasonable care to ensure the safety of its employees." Alternative expressions include "due diligence," "ordinary care," and "appropriate caution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Legal

Business

General Safety

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finally, an example from legal reasoning: Example 10 (Duty of reasonable care).

SEP

"We just want people, landowners included, to act with reasonable care," he said.

The New York Times

Under the law of "bailment", the garage is responsible for taking "reasonable care" of vehicles.

The Guardian - Money

In theory, more transparency could help consumers shop around for more reasonable care.

The New York Times

More generally, should the non-existence of industry standards limit what courts recognize as reasonable care?

Harvard University

Building owners and managers are required to exercise reasonable care to protect them from foreseeable events.

LEED Practices, Certification, and Accreditation Handbook

The Supply of Goods and Services Act demands the builder carries out the work with reasonable care and skill.

The Guardian - Money

It said the bank was too optimistic over bad debts and did not take "reasonable care" to control its affairs.

The Guardian - Business

it shall provide the Services with reasonable care and skill and in a proper and timely manner; and 13.2.2.

The Guardian

You could take it to court, but would have to show they failed to show "reasonable care".

The Guardian - Money

28, 396 A.2d 467 (extraordinary care is reasonable care when person is in possession of loaded firearm).

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contracts and agreements, clearly define what constitutes "reasonable care" within the specific context to avoid ambiguity and potential disputes.

Common error

Don't assume that the definition of "reasonable care" is universally understood. What's considered "reasonable" can vary greatly depending on the specific situation, industry standards, and legal precedents. Always contextualize and, when necessary, provide specific examples or criteria.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable care" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a standard of conduct or a level of diligence expected in a particular situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

20%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonable care" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that denotes the expected level of diligence or caution in various contexts, particularly legal and safety-related situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread and well-established. The phrase's meaning can vary based on the specific context, so it's crucial to define and contextualize it clearly, especially in formal agreements. Alternatives like "due diligence" or "ordinary care" may be suitable depending on the intended nuance. When using "reasonable care", avoid assuming a fixed standard and instead, consider the specific circumstances and industry norms. The most frequent sources of the phrase include The Guardian, The New York Times and Harvard University.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due diligence

Implies a thorough and comprehensive effort to ensure a certain standard or outcome, often in a legal or business context.

ordinary care

Suggests the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under the same or similar circumstances.

proper caution

Emphasizes the importance of being careful and avoiding risks or mistakes.

appropriate prudence

Highlights the need for good judgment and discretion in handling a situation.

necessary precaution

Focuses on the specific actions taken to prevent harm or negative consequences.

requisite attention

Stresses the importance of giving something the focus and effort it needs.

standard of care

Refers to the degree of care that a reasonably prudent person should exercise under similar circumstances, often in professional contexts.

adequate safeguards

Highlights the measures taken to protect against potential risks or dangers.

responsible handling

Emphasizes the importance of managing something in a way that is accountable and trustworthy.

mindful management

Implies a thoughtful and conscientious approach to overseeing something.

FAQs

How is "reasonable care" typically used in a sentence?

"Reasonable care" is often used to describe the expected level of diligence or caution in a particular situation. For example, "The company is expected to exercise "reasonable care" to ensure the safety of its employees."

What are some alternatives to "reasonable care"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "due diligence", "ordinary care", or "proper caution" instead of "reasonable care".

What factors determine what constitutes "reasonable care" in a legal context?

The determination of "reasonable care" in legal cases depends on various factors, including the potential risks involved, industry standards, and the foreseeability of harm. It's a fact-specific inquiry that varies from case to case.

Is forgetting considered a failure to take "reasonable care"?

As Forbes.com poses, "Is forgetting considered a failure to take "reasonable care"?" The answer depends on the circumstances, but generally, negligence in remembering critical safety measures or obligations could be seen as a failure to exercise "reasonable care".