reasonably convincing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably convincing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an argument, explanation, or piece of evidence that is fairly persuasive or credible, but not overwhelmingly so. Example: "The evidence presented in the report was reasonably convincing, leading the committee to consider the proposal seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Given the conventions of the genre, this is all reasonably convincing.

The New York Times - Books

To the untrained eye, the counterfeit euros made by groups active in this area are reasonably convincing.

The New York Times

So while statistical significance is nowhere to be seen, by dint of their consistency the results are reasonably convincing.

The Economist

And yet no movie review begins, "Meryl Streep, despite not being a Prime Minister, is reasonably convincing in 'The Iron Lady.' " In the fifteen songs on "Born to Die," Del Rey is both theatrical and noncommittal.

The New Yorker

The recreation by Ms Gordon and Mr Elmosnino of the 1969 classic of heavy breathing and orgasmic noises, "Je t'aime, Moi non plus" – Gainsbourg's only global hit – is reasonably convincing.

Independent

Above a certain level of seniority businesspeople have little choice but to operate in the limelight: those who disguise their sexual identity to reach the top risk suffering Lord Browne's fate when they get there.Lord Browne is reasonably convincing that coming out is good for business.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Are we reasonably convinced there's something wrong in the first place?

The Guardian

And, if you are reasonably convinced the incident occurred, you're left speculating that this is a case of mistaken identity.

The Washington Post

When I was introduced to the amazing team at HarperCollins India, they were amused and reasonably convinced that the time was ripe to unleash the Moslems back on to the subcontinent.

The New York Times

"They have that great thing that they command the respect of their colleagues, which is a fundamental problem where chief executives come in from outside". He adds: "I'm reasonably convinced by the evidence of [Goodall's] research.

The Guardian

A lawyer with knowledge of the investigation said today that the man, Abdul Rahman Alomari, had returned to Saudi Arabia this month, and that both American and Saudi officials appear to be reasonably convinced that he is not the Abdulaziz al-Omari who was listed by the F.B.I. on Friday as one of the 19 hijackers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reasonably convincing" to describe evidence or arguments that are persuasive enough to warrant consideration, but not necessarily conclusive. It is perfect when you need to express qualified agreement without committing to complete certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably convincing" when the evidence is overwhelmingly strong. Instead, opt for terms like "undeniable", "irrefutable", or "conclusive" to accurately reflect the strength of the presented information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably convincing" functions as an adjective phrase that typically modifies a noun. It expresses a quality of being moderately persuasive or believable. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonably convincing" is a frequently used adjective phrase that indicates a moderate level of persuasiveness or believability. Ludwig confirms its correctness and suitability across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. Its neutral register makes it ideal for objective reporting and academic discourse. When using the phrase, it's crucial to ensure the evidence aligns with its moderate strength, avoiding overstatement and instead accurately reflecting the information's level of support. Furthermore, you can consider using synonyms like "somewhat persuasive" or "fairly compelling" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acceptably convincing

Focuses on the acceptability of the conviction, maintaining a similar degree of persuasiveness.

adequately persuasive

Replaces "reasonably" with "adequately", keeping the overall meaning consistent.

fairly compelling

Suggests a slightly stronger sense of being convinced compared to the original phrase.

moderately persuasive

Uses a different adjective to convey a similar level of persuasiveness.

somewhat persuasive

Indicates a slightly weaker degree of conviction than "reasonably convincing".

tolerably persuasive

Indicates a degree of persuasiveness that is acceptable but not outstanding.

largely believable

Shifts focus to the believability aspect, maintaining a similar degree of conviction.

passably plausible

Emphasizes plausibility while maintaining a similar level of acceptability.

somewhat cogent

Uses a more formal synonym for convincing, maintaining a similar degree of clarity and logic.

pretty credible

Uses a more informal adjective to express a similar level of credibility.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonably convincing" in a sentence?

You can use "reasonably convincing" to describe an argument, explanation, or piece of evidence that is fairly persuasive but not overwhelmingly so. For example: "The evidence presented in the report was reasonably convincing, leading the committee to consider the proposal seriously."

What are some alternatives to "reasonably convincing"?

You can use alternatives such as "somewhat persuasive", "fairly compelling", or "moderately persuasive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "reasonably convincing" the same as "very convincing"?

No, "reasonably convincing" implies a moderate level of persuasion, while "very convincing" suggests a high level of persuasion. The former suggests that something is persuasive enough to be considered seriously, but the latter implies near certainty or complete agreement.

Which is correct: "reasonably convincing" or "reasonable convincing"?

"Reasonably convincing" is the correct form. "Reasonable convincing" is grammatically incorrect because "reasonably" is an adverb modifying the adjective "convincing".