sensibly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sensibly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has been done with common sense or in a reasonable way. For example: "The government dealt with the crisis sensibly and avoided panic among the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sensibly, nursery owner Julie Lightly has invited Truss to try to cope with eight nursery children all by herself.

The Guardian

If all the sexual health services in one geographical area worked better together and were more sensibly commissioned, we could coordinate opening hours and access and make economies of scale.

The Guardian

These ultra-fervent supporters are not representative of a club's main body of followers, many of whom quite sensibly feel that watching the regulation 38 games a season is already a sufficient display of loyalty.

The Guardian - Sport

After more than eight hours pacing myself sensibly, always keeping something in reserve, I gave it everything in the final 5km flight to the finish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By contrast, the opposition proposes, sensibly, to borrow to finance capital expenditure, thereby aiming at a more expansionary policy than intended by Osborne.

The Guardian - Business

With the headline polling figures making a win look improbable, the Tories know their only chance of a second term of any kind is to say to voters: let us finish what we've started or else... Sensibly, Osborne did not repeat his earlier claim that taxpayers actually like paying top rate tax.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's sensibly directed towards food careers that involve actual cooking".

The Guardian

Welbeck deserves, at the very least, the chance to fail properly as a centre-forward, while from Arsenal's perspective the more notable goalscorers in recent Premier League seasons have often tended to be sensibly priced hunches rather than top-dollar sure things.

The Guardian - Sport

Not back when he had no internet, no pay-TV, no live broadcasts in each game's host city and no real idea how to sensibly spend entire days of our leisure time.

The Guardian - Sport

It seems to me I can't see how you sensibly avoid the Greeks defaulting and the Greeks having to leave the eurozone".

The Guardian

The party cannot live forever in her shadow, nor can David Cameron sensibly spend much longer inviting comparisons between her leadership and his.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex process, using "sensibly" can reassure readers that a rational approach is being taken, promoting understanding and trust.

Common error

Avoid using "sensibly" in highly emotional or artistic contexts where rationality is not the primary focus. Its use in these scenarios can sound detached or inappropriately clinical.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sensibly" is to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It functions as an adverb of manner, describing how something is done. Ludwig AI supports this analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sensibly" is an adverb that describes actions taken with good judgment and reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While it's best practice to employ it when emphasizing rationality, avoid its use in emotionally driven settings. Alternatives such as "wisely" or "prudently" offer nuanced substitutions. The usage frequency is considered "very common", reinforcing its relevance in contemporary writing. Remember, using "sensibly" can add credibility and assurance to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with common sense

Directly points to the use of ordinary good judgment.

with good sense

Emphasizes the possession and application of sound judgment.

in a reasonable manner

Highlights the logical and justifiable nature of the action.

prudently

Focuses on the careful and cautious approach taken.

wisely

Suggests a deeper level of insight and informed decision-making.

judiciously

Implies a balanced and thoughtful consideration of various factors.

intelligently

Focuses on the intellectual capacity behind the action.

with foresight

Highlights the ability to anticipate future consequences.

practically

Emphasizes the realistic and pragmatic approach.

logically

Stresses the adherence to sound reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "sensibly" in a sentence?

You can use "sensibly" to describe actions or decisions that are made with good judgment and reason. For example, "He "sensibly" invested his money in a diverse portfolio".

What are some alternatives to the word "sensibly"?

Alternatives to "sensibly" include "wisely", "prudently", or "reasonably", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to act "sensibly"?

Acting "sensibly" means behaving in a way that is considered practical, reasonable, and showing good judgment. It implies making well-thought-out decisions based on available information.

Is it better to act "sensibly" or emotionally?

Whether it's better to act "sensibly" or emotionally depends on the situation. While "sensibly" generally leads to more rational decisions, emotional responses can be appropriate in certain interpersonal or creative contexts. Often, a balance of both is ideal.