reasonably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done in a fair, moderate, or logical manner. Example: "The proposal was reasonably priced, making it accessible to a wider audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

Later he recognised the split had worked out reasonably well and that most Slovaks and Czechs were reasonably content," he said.

The Guardian

On the whole, recent trading statements have shown companies performing reasonably well, so a spate of more negative updates also dented investor enthusiasm.

The Guardian - Business

He was not disappointed: "You have to go through that to be effective as a manager (you cannot reasonably ask anyone to do something you would not)." But he left when he was also placed on crew wages, "which was not enough for me to survive on at the time – which is why I left.

The Guardian - Money

And they might reasonably ask: what about the parents – why aren't they teaching their children this stuff?

The Guardian

Chefs are using more fresh local produce and, with a little effort, it is still possible to find reasonably priced meals costing about €15 a head all over town.

The Guardian - Travel

"I can't reasonably expect this to happen without political involvement.

The Guardian

Mr Justice Lindblom said in a written judgment handed down on Wednesday that the Sun was right to publish the "kiss and tell" story because McClaren was a public figure "from whom the public could reasonably expect a higher standard of conduct".

The Guardian

Collective ministerial responsibility may have been absent, but they seemed to have muddled through reasonably well thus far.

The Guardian - Opinion

I imagine this must cost a huge amount and that payments of fees, commissions and rebranding must quite reasonably come out of my minuscule bonus.

The Guardian - Money

As Ken Albala, author of Pancake: A Global History, argues, you could reasonably define pancakes as any thin disc cooked from starchy batter on a flat surface.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonably", ensure the context clarifies what standards or expectations are being met to a satisfactory degree.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably" to soften statements without providing specific context; this can create ambiguity and weaken your message. For example, avoid stating "the task was reasonably completed" without elaborating the extent of the completion or whether the quality was satisfactory.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "reasonably" primarily functions as a modifier, typically qualifying adjectives or verbs to indicate a degree of moderation, fairness, or logical consistency. Ludwig AI highlights numerous examples showing its role in softening claims or establishing justifiable expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Travel

15%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "reasonably" is a versatile term used to express that something is fair, moderate, or logical. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. While it doesn't denote exceptional quality, it implies adequacy or acceptability. To avoid vagueness, ensure you provide sufficient context when using "reasonably". Alternatives such as "fairly", "moderately", or "sensibly" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriately

Focuses on the suitability or correctness of an action or behavior.

with good reason

Suggests a valid or justified basis for something.

in a sensible manner

Emphasizes acting with good judgment.

in moderation

Emphasizes avoidance of extremes and maintaining balance.

to a fair extent

Emphasizes the impartiality and justice aspect, rather than just the degree.

within reason

Highlights the limits of acceptability or possibility.

to a certain degree

Focuses on the extent or level of something.

within acceptable limits

Highlights that something is within the boundaries of what is allowed or tolerable.

by all accounts

Implies that something is true based on available information or opinions.

on balance

Highlights overall assessment or consideration of different factors.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonably" in a sentence?

Use "reasonably" to indicate something is done in a fair, moderate, or logical way. For example, "The proposal was "reasonably priced", making it accessible to a wider audience."

What can I say instead of "reasonably"?

You can use alternatives like "fairly", "moderately", or "sensibly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reasonably good" or "reasonable good"?

"Reasonably good" is correct. "Reasonably" is an adverb modifying the adjective "good". Adverbs, not adjectives, typically modify adjectives.

What's the difference between "reasonably" and "relatively"?

"Reasonably" suggests a fair or satisfactory level, while "relatively" indicates a comparison. Something that is "reasonably" good is good enough, while something that is "relatively" good is better than something else.