reasonable play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable play" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing fairness, strategy, or acceptable behavior in games, sports, or negotiations. Example: "In competitive sports, reasonable play is essential to ensure that all participants have a fair chance of success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Tuszynski made a reasonable play.

The New York Times - Arts

And that was certainly a reasonable play for declarer.

The New York Times

He chose to play low, however, a reasonable play that proved to be an error.

The New York Times - Arts

This was a reasonable play, although his best chance of making the contract was to find East with queen-doubleton.

The New York Times

Instead he finessed the diamond nine, a reasonable play in other circumstances but a clear error with the diamonds known to be on his right.

The New York Times - Arts

Game 17 went 1 d4 g6 2 e4 Bg7 3 Nf3 d6 4 Be2 e6 5 c3 Nd7 6 O-O Ne7 7 Ndd2 b6 8 a4 a6 9 Re1 Bb7 10 Bd3 O-O with reasonable play for Black.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

They continued to improve facilities and had a reasonable playing record".

The Guardian - Sport

BE reasonable and play it safe.

The New York Times

There's only one reasonable response: Play it again.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a lot more reasonable to play a board game and for a family to stay in than to spend a hundred dollars on dinner and a movie.

The New York Times

Gurus liked the growth at a reasonable price play and bought up more than 5,000 shares.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing strategic decisions, use "reasonable play" to indicate that the action was well-thought-out and justifiable under the circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable play" in very informal settings where simpler terms like "fair" or "smart move" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a tone of reasoned judgment that may be out of place in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable play" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "reasonable" modifies the noun "play". It denotes an action or strategy that is considered logical, justifiable, and fair within a specific context. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is often used to describe decisions in sports, games, or negotiations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

13%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonable play" is a noun phrase used to describe an action or strategy that is logical, justifiable, and often fair. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in news and media contexts. While it's an effective way to describe well-reasoned decisions, remember that simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in informal settings. To ensure clarity and appropriateness in writing, remember it is a solid choice when you want to sound neutral and objective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fair play

Focuses on the aspect of fairness and adherence to rules.

sensible action

Emphasizes the prudence and rationality of the act.

logical move

Highlights the reasoned and strategic nature of the play.

justifiable strategy

Indicates that the play can be defended or validated with reasoning.

sound approach

Suggests a well-reasoned and effective method.

prudent decision

Highlights the careful and wise nature of the choice made.

rational course of action

Stresses the logical and reasoned path taken.

acceptable conduct

Focuses on the behavior being within acceptable boundaries.

defensible tactic

Implies the play can be supported or justified if questioned.

responsible behavior

Highlights that the behavior shown aligns with accepted standards of responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonable play" to describe a decision or action that is logical and justifiable in a given situation. For instance, "The manager considered it a "reasonable play" to substitute the tired player in the final minutes of the game".

What are some alternatives to "reasonable play"?

Some alternatives to "reasonable play" include "fair play", "sensible action", or "logical move", depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is "reasonable play" most appropriately used?

"Reasonable play" is often used in contexts involving strategic decision-making, such as sports, games, or negotiations, where the fairness or rationality of an action is being assessed.

Is there a difference between "reasonable play" and "fair play"?

While both terms relate to appropriate conduct, "fair play" emphasizes adherence to rules and ethical behavior, whereas "reasonable play" focuses more on the logical and justifiable nature of the action taken.