reasonably normal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably normal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is within the range of what is considered normal, but with a slight allowance for variation or deviation. Example: "After the assessment, the doctor concluded that my blood pressure was reasonably normal for someone my age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Being relatively small, this value indicated that, despite there being items without univariate normality, the multivariate distribution of the variables was reasonably normal.

International Journal of STEM Education

Indeed, compared to past Big Brother casts they are all reasonably normal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many people with mild impairment from Alzheimer's or Parkinson's lead reasonably normal lives.

The New Yorker

This combination therapy has allowed many patients to live reasonably normal lives.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Well, he, The Fifth, as stated earlier, was the only reasonably normal, comparatively relatable, recognizable human being in the bunch.

The New Yorker

It seems extremely unlikely that in reasonably normal times in this country Gingrich could prevail in a national election.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

If we imagine that Mary Steenburgen is a reasonably normal-sized human being - which, at 5'8", she actually is, so we don't have to imagine very hard - he still looks like she's attending a children's party in the court of King-Giant Vince, and Reese and Kristin Chenoweth (5' and 4'11" respectively) are like the tiny perfect dolls she has brought with her to play with at the party.

The Guardian - Film

Given the framework of preconception responsibility outlined above, should any normal, reasonably prudent potential parent normalize her body weight before attempting pregnancy or if there is a risk of an unplanned pregnancy?

BMC Medical Ethics

But some of the boys greet each other with hugs, or bursts of transatlantic up-talking, or say "like" with a long "i", London-style – for a minute or two, many seem reasonably modern and normal.

The Guardian

Because the plans themselves are fairly transparent, and most of their funding runs through the tax system (reducing the importance of subsidies), customers can compare plans reasonably easily through normal private-sector portal websites.

The Economist

Many among the political class, among the commentariat, among the broader intelligentsia or even among normal reasonably well-off people, went to private schools themselves (as I did), or for whatever mixture of motives have sent their children there or are thinking of doing so.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reasonably normal" to indicate something falls within acceptable limits of what is considered normal, but allows for slight variations. For example, "The patient's blood pressure was reasonably normal after medication."

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably normal" when you mean something is perfectly normal. "Reasonably" implies a slight deviation, so ensure the context reflects this nuance. For instance, don't say "His heart rate was reasonably normal" if it was exactly within the standard range; use "normal" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably normal" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state that is acceptably close to what is considered typical or standard. Ludwig examples showcase its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reasonably normal" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is acceptably close to the norm, allowing for slight deviations. It is frequently used in news, media, and scientific contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig. While appropriate for both formal and informal writing, it's crucial to ensure the context warrants the nuance of approximation rather than absolute normalcy. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is suitable for indicating slight deviations from what is expected or typical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly ordinary

Replaces 'normal' with 'ordinary', emphasizing commonness.

quite typical

Substitutes both 'reasonably' and 'normal' to convey commonness.

relatively standard

Emphasizes adherence to a standard with a degree of flexibility.

moderately typical

Uses 'moderately' instead of 'reasonably' to indicate degree of typicality.

somewhat average

Replaces 'normal' with 'average', focusing on typical statistical value.

adequately acceptable

Focuses on the level of acceptance rather than normalcy.

tolerably usual

Indicates something is usual to a tolerable degree.

passably conventional

Emphasizes compliance with conventions to an acceptable level.

ordinarily average

Combines both 'ordinary' and 'average' for redundancy.

generally unexceptional

Highlights the lack of exceptional qualities, implying normalcy.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonably normal" to describe something that is within the range of what is considered standard or typical, but with some allowance for slight variation. For example: "The data distribution was "reasonably normal", allowing us to proceed with the analysis."

What is the difference between "reasonably normal" and "completely normal"?

"Reasonably normal" implies a slight deviation from the exact norm, while "completely normal" suggests that something is exactly as expected within defined parameters. Using "completely normal" indicates there are no deviations, while "reasonably normal" acknowledges minor variations that do not significantly alter the outcome or expectation.

What are some alternatives to saying "reasonably normal"?

Depending on the context, you could use "fairly typical", "relatively standard", or "moderately common" as alternatives to "reasonably normal".

Is it appropriate to use "reasonably normal" in formal writing?

Yes, "reasonably normal" is appropriate for formal writing as it conveys a precise meaning. It's suitable when you need to indicate something is generally within expected parameters but might not be perfectly aligned with the exact norm. For instance, in a scientific paper, you might state that "the patient's recovery rate was "reasonably normal" considering the severity of the condition".