reasonable skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable skill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of competence or ability that is considered acceptable or adequate in a particular context. Example: "The contractor is expected to perform the work with reasonable skill and care to ensure the project meets the required standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

A wrong diagnosis or errors in treatment do not by themselves establish a breach of duty, provided that the process of arriving at those decisions is carried out with reasonable skill and care - a standard reasonably expected of a practitioner with an equivalent level of training and experience [ 9].

Critical Care

The forecast model has displayed reasonable skill in predicting the total number of storms each season.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their pasta del priore, with diced zucchini, currants, ham and saffron, is harmony incarnate, and anybody with reasonable skill can make it.

The New York Times - Books

And when the government introduced the Compensation Act 2006, it clarified the existing common law on negligence to make it clear that people who take reasonable care or exercise reasonable skill cannot be held liable for untoward incidents.

The Guardian

He said: "BAE Systems was in breach of its contractual obligations... in failing to use reasonable skill and care", adding: "The responsibility for this must lie with the leadership of the company.

The Guardian

The Client warrants that any Language Translation shall a) be prepared with reasonable skill and care; and b) preserve the context, meaning and integrity of the Services as originally supplied by GNM.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The requisite standard of care is reasonable skills and care reasonably expected of a practitioner with the same standing.

Critical Care

Those with reasonable skills and confidence were allowed to go on to the 10-meter jump, and beyond that, to the 20-meter.

The New York Times - Travel

This modeling system was already evaluated for Portugal domain in previous studies, by comparison with measured air quality data, and showed reasonable skills for all the pollutants.

Atmospheric Pollution Research

As part of a duty to exercise reasonable skills and care, there is a duty on a doctor in certain circumstances to inform themselves of up-to-date information concerning a proposed treatment or procedure.

Critical Care

The check on this incentive is a physician's obligation to exercise reasonable medical skill and judgment in the patient's interest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing expectations for professional conduct, use "reasonable skill" to denote the standard of competence expected from someone with comparable training and experience.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable skill" when the context requires demonstrating exceptional or advanced abilities. "Reasonable skill" sets a baseline of acceptable competence, not a target for surpassing expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable skill" typically functions as a noun phrase that is modified by an adjective. According to Ludwig, this phrase is often used in legal and professional contexts to denote a standard of competence expected in a particular field. The examples from Ludwig showcase its application in describing the expected abilities of doctors, builders, and other professionals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonable skill" is a phrase used to describe the expected level of competence in a given field, particularly in professional and legal contexts. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is deemed grammatically correct and is commonly used across diverse sources, including science, news, and formal business settings. The phrase functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective, serving to establish a benchmark for evaluating performance or service quality. It is generally considered formal, making it suitable for professional communication and legal documentation. Related phrases, such as "adequate proficiency" and "competent expertise", can be used as alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate proficiency

Replaces "reasonable skill" with synonyms emphasizing sufficient competence.

competent expertise

Substitutes "reasonable skill" with terms highlighting a level of specialized knowledge and ability.

satisfactory capability

Replaces "reasonable skill" focusing on an acceptable level of inherent ability.

sufficient aptitude

Emphasizes the natural ability or talent required, instead of acquired skill.

acceptable competence

Focuses on the minimum level of ability considered adequate.

suitable qualification

Highlights the formal or recognized ability to perform a task.

fair expertise

Indicates a moderate level of specialized knowledge and ability.

ordinary proficiency

Describes a common or average level of ability.

average skill level

Focuses on the typical degree of skill expected or attained.

capable performance

Highlights the ability to execute a task effectively.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonable skill" to describe the expected level of competence in various professions. For example: "The doctor is expected to perform the surgery with "reasonable skill" and care."

What is an alternative to "reasonable skill"?

Alternatives include "adequate proficiency", "competent expertise", or "satisfactory capability" depending on the specific context.

What does 'exercising reasonable skill' mean?

Exercising "reasonable skill" means applying the knowledge, abilities, and judgment expected of a competent professional in a given field. It implies diligence and adherence to standard practices.

How does "reasonable skill" differ from "negligence"?

"Reasonable skill" describes an acceptable level of competence, whereas negligence implies a failure to exercise the expected standard of care, potentially leading to harm or damage.