seem reasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

"seem reasonable" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something appears to have merit or be believable. For example, "His explanation for why he was late seemed reasonable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The increases seem reasonable.

The New York Times

Did they seem reasonable?

The New Yorker

The jurors' doubts seem reasonable, pertinent.

The New York Times

Do these numbers seem reasonable or bloated?

The New Yorker

The education secretary's intentions seem reasonable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Prepare arguments that will make your aspirations seem reasonable.

Harvard University

So, a binding arbitration solution would seem reasonable.

University of California, Berkeley

That excludes people's main homes, which may seem reasonable.

The Economist

A humanitarian gesture to lessen their isolation would seem reasonable.

The Economist

At first glance, this view may seem reasonable.

The New York Times

Both of these choices seem reasonable to me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem reasonable" when you want to express a qualified assessment. It acknowledges that while something appears logical or acceptable, further investigation or consideration may be necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "seem reasonable" as a standalone assessment without explaining why something seems that way. Provide specific reasons or evidence to support your claim, otherwise the phrase can sound weak and unsubstantiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem reasonable" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating that something appears logical, acceptable, or justified based on available information. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically sound and common in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seem reasonable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses a qualified assessment or judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is well-supported. It is most common in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its widespread acceptance in formal communication. When using "seem reasonable", provide sufficient context to justify your assessment. Alternatives such as "appear logical" or "appear plausible" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear plausible

Focuses on the believability of something.

appear logical

Highlights the rational and coherent nature of something.

appear sensible

Suggests good judgment and practicality.

appear justifiable

Emphasizes the defensibility or moral high ground, focusing on whether there's sufficient justification.

appear sound

Highlights the robustness and reliability of something.

appear valid

Emphasizes the legitimacy and correctness of something.

appear acceptable

Indicates that something meets a certain standard or is satisfactory.

strike as fair

Focuses on the perception of impartiality and justice.

come across as judicious

Emphasizes careful and wise handling of a situation.

hold up as well-founded

Highlights that something is based on solid evidence or reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "seem reasonable" in a sentence?

You can use "seem reasonable" to express that something appears logical or acceptable based on available information. For example, "His explanation for the delay did "seem reasonable" given the circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "seem reasonable"?

Alternatives include phrases like "appear logical", "appear plausible", or "appear justifiable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "seem reasonable" in formal writing?

Yes, "seem reasonable" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a neutral and professional way to express a qualified assessment or judgment.

What's the difference between "seem reasonable" and "is reasonable"?

"Seem reasonable" implies a preliminary assessment based on initial impressions or available evidence, while "is reasonable" suggests a more definitive judgment after thorough consideration. The first suggests that things "appear sensible", the second one that they "are sensible".