reasonably sound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably sound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an idea, argument, or plan that is logical and sensible to a reasonable extent. Example: "The proposal for the new project is reasonably sound, considering the current market conditions and available resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

He looked reasonably sound.

The New York Times

French banks are reasonably sound.

The New York Times

And the manufacturing sector of the economy has been reasonably sound.

The New York Times

These are professionals, and, except for a sore-ankled Allan Houston, appear reasonably sound of body.

The New York Times - Sports

Lloyds TSB was a reasonably sound bank, making a profit of around £1 billion in 2008 despite the crisis.

The Economist

There is reasonably sound empirical evidence that controversies of this magnitude can be quite harmful to candidates in the end.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Our findings that SSFs can be measured reliably to AM speech and music, which still have reasonably good sound quality, imply that SSFs to these natural sounds might be applied in both basic and clinical research of human brain function.

Ear and Hearing

However, it has its roots in reality – and the novels' protagonist came about because I'd grown tired, in the mid-90s, of the hard-boiled lone wolf hero and wanted to portray a detective who was a family man, reasonably psychologically sound, who would rather read a book than go drinking.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this second case, a reasonably strong sound wave emanating from the driver propagates through the long duct and, thereby, experiences non-linear propagation effects for a longer time.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Although a slight deviation did not seem to make a difference, it is in practice not possible for more than one person to enjoy a reasonably balanced sound stage with the ESL.

Wikipedia

The stereo speakers that Asus loaded this thing up with produce reasonably loud, crisp sound, but they do fall flat when compared to the sort of sound that the iPad mini's downward-facing pair can pump out.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonably sound", ensure the context provides a clear basis for the assessment. Avoid vague statements; specify what makes something "reasonably sound", such as "reasonably sound financial policies".

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably sound" when a stronger term like "completely sound" or "unquestionably sound" is more accurate. "Reasonably sound" implies a degree of uncertainty or qualification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably sound" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is in a generally acceptable or reliable condition. Ludwig confirms this usage across various contexts, including describing financial policies, methodologies, and physical health.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reasonably sound" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something as being acceptably reliable or logical, though perhaps not perfectly so. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific domains. While alternatives like "fairly reliable" or "moderately stable" exist, "reasonably sound" maintains its distinct utility in providing a nuanced assessment. The best practice is to ensure the context clearly supports the assessment, and the most common error is overstating the degree of soundness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly reliable

Indicates a degree of dependability that is somewhat less than completely reliable.

moderately stable

Suggests a level of stability that is neither highly robust nor particularly weak.

relatively solid

Refers to something having a degree of firmness or strength compared to something else.

somewhat plausible

Indicates a degree of believability that is less than fully convincing but not entirely unbelievable.

acceptably healthy

Expresses a state of health that meets a minimum standard, although not necessarily optimal.

fairly valid

Indicates a moderate degree of correctness or truth.

adequately robust

Implies the existence of sufficient strength or health to withstand adverse conditions.

quite dependable

Suggests a level of reliability that is notable but not absolute.

passably logical

Conveys that something is logical enough to be acceptable, but not exceptionally so.

tolerably secure

Implies that something is secure enough to be acceptable, even if not perfectly so.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonably sound" to describe something that is logical and sensible to a moderate extent. For example, "The methodology used by the authors is "reasonably sound" and inspires confidence in the results".

What can I say instead of "reasonably sound"?

You can use alternatives like "fairly reliable", "moderately stable", or "somewhat plausible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reasonably sound" or "completely sound"?

"Reasonably sound" implies a moderate level of soundness with some reservations, while "completely sound" suggests full and unconditional soundness. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

What's the difference between "reasonably sound" and "logically valid"?

"Reasonably sound" generally refers to overall acceptability or health, whereas "logically valid" specifically refers to the correctness of reasoning or argumentation. You might say a financial plan is ""reasonably sound"", but an argument is "logically valid".