reasonably firm

USAGE SUMMARY

"reasonably firm" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is moderately strong or stable, such as a decision, opinion, or physical object. Example: The mattress is reasonably firm, providing good support for a restful night's sleep. Alternative expressions include "fairly solid" and "moderately strong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Its main function is to keep the globe reasonably firm.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They should be reasonably firm, not spongy, to the touch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To the government's credit, it eventually stood reasonably firm on the students' demands.

The Economist

A reasonably firm (not bone-crushing) handshake that doesn't hold on too long is generally considered acceptable.

The Washington Post

They may have already established a reasonably firm foothold on their top-flight perch before arriving at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on the final day of October.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are entitled in the letter to assert in reasonably firm terms why we contend there has been copyright infringement," he said.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

This conclusion seems fairly firm, as the dates for the arrival of plague in Constantinople and more westerly cities are reasonably certain.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Denning: Do you have examples of reasonably sized firms where you have at least one senior executive who acts as a champion and supporting the change?

Forbes

— MB Okay, just one final winter squash pasta while last season's butternuts are still reasonably sound and firm.

The New York Times

In the latter respect the US held firm reasonably well, working out rotations comfortably to keep the defense covered and their own players' energy well marshaled in humid conditions that will be a taster of what's to come in Brazil.

The Guardian - Sport

State-controlled banks did the heavy lifting, lending freely through 2008 and 2009, but private firms too performed reasonably well, whereas some Western firms in emerging markets proved unreliable, cutting credit or even shutting down or selling out.This special report has argued that the experience of emerging-market banks will have a lasting impact.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, apply this phrase to describe policy positions or economic footings to signal confidence without overcommitting to immobility.

Common error

Do not pair "reasonably firm" with other mitigating adverbs like "quite" or "rather" (e.g. "quite reasonably firm"). This creates linguistic clutter and weakens the precision of the description.

Linguistic Context

In the phrase "reasonably firm", the adverb "reasonably" acts as a submodifier for the adjective "firm". According to Ludwig, this construction serves to qualify the intensity of the adjective, indicating that while the subject possesses the quality of being firm, it does not reach an extreme or absolute state. This is categorized as a standard gradeable adjective phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonably firm" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of moderate stability or density. Ludwig identifies its strength in its ability to mitigate the intensity of the word "firm", making it ideal for contexts ranging from culinary instructions and biological descriptions to economic forecasts. It is highly favored by authoritative news and scientific publications for its precision and professional tone. When writing, it serves as an excellent choice for signaling reliability without suggesting an unyielding or inflexible nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately firm

Slightly more clinical and often used in product descriptions like mattresses.

fairly solid

Swaps the adjective to emphasize density or the strength of an argument.

relatively stable

Focuses on consistency over time rather than physical hardness.

somewhat rigid

Carries a slightly more negative connotation of being unyielding.

substantially steady

Implies a higher degree of permanence and weight.

quite robust

Suggests strength and health in addition to firmness.

decently hard

More informal and focused purely on physical texture.

reasonably secure

Used when describing safety or the attachment of objects.

sufficiently stiff

Often used in engineering or culinary contexts regarding texture.

adequately resolute

Used metaphorically for decisions or character traits.

FAQs

How to use "reasonably firm" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical objects, like saying the cake should be "reasonably firm" to the touch, or metaphorically for a "reasonably firm decision".

What can I say instead of "reasonably firm"?

Common alternatives include "moderately firm", "fairly solid" or "relatively stable" depending on your specific context.

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

The correct form is "reasonably firm" because the adverb "reasonably" is required to modify the adjective "firm". "Reasonable firm" would incorrectly imply a business entity (a firm) that is reasonable.

What is the difference between "reasonably firm" and "fairly firm"?

While both are similar, "reasonably firm" often implies that the level of firmness meets a logical or expected standard, whereas "fairly firm" is a more neutral observation of degree.