reasonable subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable subject" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or matter that is considered fair, sensible, or appropriate for consideration or discussion. Example: "In the debate about climate change, a reasonable subject to address is the impact of renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

(What we can do is, of course, a reasonable subject for debate).

The New Yorker

Just how to bring that about with as little pain as possible might be a reasonable subject of discussion for the presidential campaign.

The New York Times

Voltaire felt so much for other people because he felt so much for himself; everything happened to him because he was the only reasonable subject of everything that happened.

The New Yorker

Computers and the Internet have vastly enhanced the speed with which printed sources can be searched titles of all the books in all the major Western libraries are online but the historian must know a great many descriptors to do a reasonable subject search.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Local authorities will still be able to set the charges they consider reasonable subject to certain limitations, or not charge at all.

BBC

The reasonable subject setting of safety engineering has an effect on the culturing of safety talents which is related to the safe operation of our enterprises.

Procedia Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Such patients could be reasonable subjects for more intensive or tailored treatment, including immunomodulatory therapy (Pages et al, 2010).

British Journal of Cancer

The individual winners and the winning school may be required to take part in promotional activity related to the Competition and the winners shall participate in such activity on the Promoter's reasonable request, subject (in the case of individual winners) to the approval of parents/legal guardians.

The Guardian

Some other rules The individual winners and the winning and runner up schools may be required to take part in promotional activity related to the Competition and the winners shall participate in such activity on the Promoter's reasonable request, subject (in the case of individual winners) to the approval of parents/legal guardians.

The Guardian

The central premise of the study – that where you live determines your sun exposure – while reasonable, is subject to many possible local exceptions, and no data are available that distinguish the solar exposure levels of those with cancer to those without cancer in a given location.

BMC Cancer

While it is reasonable to subject a reform agenda to the 2008 test, this should be at most a side issue.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable subject", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the subject reasonable. Provide specific criteria or rationale to support its appropriateness.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable subject" without specifying the area of reasonability. Instead of saying, "This is a reasonable subject," clarify: "This is a reasonable subject for debate" or "This is a reasonable subject for scientific inquiry."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable subject" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "reasonable" modifies the noun "subject". It identifies a topic, person, or thing that is fair and sensible. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonable subject" is a grammatically sound and functional phrase used to denote a topic or individual that is appropriate or justifiable for consideration. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistently accurate, emphasizing the importance of clarity and justification when presenting a subject. Remember to provide context or reasoning when employing this phrase to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriate topic

Replaces 'subject' with 'topic' to emphasize the matter under discussion.

suitable subject

Replaces 'reasonable' with 'suitable' to highlight the appropriateness of the topic.

fitting topic

Emphasizes the aptness of the subject.

valid subject

Focuses on the legitimacy and justification of the subject.

justifiable topic

Highlights the defensibility and reasonableness of the topic choice.

sensible topic

Highlights the practical and logical aspects of the topic.

logical subject

Focuses on the coherence and rationality of the subject matter.

plausible topic

Suggests the subject is believable and likely.

defensible subject

Suggests the topic can be argued for or justified.

acceptable subject

Indicates that the subject is widely approved or tolerated.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonable subject" to describe a topic that is appropriate or sensible for discussion, debate, or analysis. For example: "The impact of social media on mental health is a "reasonable subject" for research."

What are some alternatives to "reasonable subject"?

Alternatives to "reasonable subject" include "appropriate topic", "suitable subject", or "valid subject" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a subject that is reasonable" instead of "reasonable subject"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct, but "reasonable subject" is more concise and commonly used. "A subject that is reasonable" might be preferred if you want to add emphasis or further description.

When is it appropriate to use the term "reasonable subject"?

Use "reasonable subject" when you want to indicate that a topic is worthy of consideration, discussion, or investigation based on certain criteria. It implies that the topic is logical, justifiable, or sensible within a given context.