reasonable course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable course of action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a decision or strategy that is sensible and justifiable in a given situation. Example: "After considering all the options, we believe that pursuing a reasonable course of action is essential for the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

As we cannot guarantee the long-term integrity of any waste dump, the only reasonable course of action is to put an end to nuclear power.

The New York Times

The reasonable course of action, under these circumstances, would be to immediately stand by the CCC and send a clear message of stability to the economy.

The Guardian

It is also a reasonable course of action in a country where almost a million properties are empty, and a million citizens are homeless or precariously housed.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only reasonable course of action is for the Government to fully accept the recommendations, as the evidence clearly states that the core objectives remain unchanged for 2023-2027.

The Guardian

An exit from the euro might not be immediate but could become inevitable: the Greek government would be forced to default not just on the €1.5 billion due to the IMF this month, but on nearly €7 billion-worth of bonds held by the ECB, which should be redeemed in July and August.Facing that forbidding prospect, the reasonable course of action would be for Mr Tsipras to accept the deal on offer.

The Economist

Ideally, the software can assist the agent to take the most reasonable course of action to help a customer, whether that customer is external or internal.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Choosing among these three reasonable courses of action is not easy.

The New York Times

But Foer the polemicist, depriving himself of Costello's (and Coet­zee's) fictional cover, thinks there is only one reasonable course of real-world action: stop eating animals.

The New York Times - Books

The policy of the Denver Police is to not open fire on a moving vehicle unless "the vehicle or suspect poses an immediate threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or another person and the officer has no reasonable alternative course of action to prevent death or serious physical injury".

Vice

If you haven't been in a fire zone yourself, you have no informed way to judge whether something at the time was possible or impossible, or whether it was a reasonable or an unreasonable course of action.

Huffington Post

they would have had a reasonable alternative to this course of action (e.g., abortion at least until the point of fetal viability) III.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When outlining a plan, use "reasonable course of action" to emphasize its feasibility and logical grounding.

Common error

Avoid overuse in a single document; vary vocabulary with alternatives like "sensible approach" or "prudent measure" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable course of action" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it typically serves as the object of a sentence or clause, describing a recommended or chosen strategy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonable course of action" denotes a sensible and justifiable approach to a situation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable. While classified as having uncommon usage, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. Related phrases encompass "sensible approach" and "prudent measure". For best practice, use it to highlight well-reasoned strategies. Avoid overuse by alternating with synonyms. In essence, "reasonable course of action" offers a versatile way to emphasize the logic and appropriateness of a particular plan or decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensible approach

Focuses on the practical and judicious nature of the action.

prudent measure

Emphasizes caution and foresight in the action taken.

logical step

Highlights the rational and coherent progression of the action.

rational decision

Focuses on the well-reasoned and justified choice made.

judicious choice

Stresses the careful and wise selection of the action.

sound strategy

Highlights the solid and effective planning behind the action.

wise decision

Emphasizes the wisdom and good judgment involved in the action.

practical solution

Focuses on the workability and utility of the action.

realistic plan

Highlights the feasibility and attainability of the action.

responsible action

Emphasizes accountability and ethical considerations of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonable course of action" in a sentence?

You can use "reasonable course of action" to describe a logical and justifiable decision or strategy. For example: "After considering all factors, the most reasonable course of action was to postpone the project."

What are some alternatives to "reasonable course of action"?

You can use alternatives like "sensible approach", "prudent measure", or "logical step" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reasonable course of action" or "appropriate course of action"?

Both phrases are correct, but "reasonable course of action" implies a logical and justifiable decision, while "appropriate course of action" suggests that the decision fits the specific circumstances or requirements.

When is it best to use "reasonable course of action" in writing?

Use "reasonable course of action" when you want to emphasize that a particular strategy or decision is well-reasoned, logical, and the most sensible option among available choices.