that seems reasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems reasonable" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express agreement or approval with a statement, suggestion, or argument. Example: "Let's meet at 2 pm for our group project." "That seems reasonable. I'll see you then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

In many ways, that seems reasonable.

The New York Times

But even commenters who saw something to worry about here (and with more information from S., that seems reasonable) were hesitant to act.

The New York Times

The Obama administration calculated that about 20 million people have gained health coverage as a result of the Affordable Care Act, a figure that seems reasonable.

The Washington Post

War reporting under the best circumstances is dangerous, and a risk that seems reasonable one moment can turn tragic the next.

The New York Times

This gives phone manufacturers a reliable way to distribute their phones, and brings the price of increasingly sophisticated devices down to a level that seems reasonable to the mainstream market.

The New York Times

As the EU referendum debate enters its hideous final stages, both sides of the Tory party are furiously branding each other liars, while the rest of the country thinks, "Yes, that seems reasonable to me".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"The governor was presented with a plan that seemed reasonable at the time," Mr. McDonough said of Mrs. Whitman.

The New York Times

Myth-busting authors often contrive statements that seem reasonable but on further reflection are so one-sided that they are clearly false.

The New York Times

The only one that seemed reasonable was on East Second Street between Avenues C and D, but the third roommate felt it was too far from school.

The New York Times

Its genesis, rather, is a set of rules and behaviors that seem reasonable but really cause fire fighting in the long run.

Harvard Business Review

In other words, he used scant evidence to reach bold, fanciful conclusions that seemed reasonable but were later proved quite wrong.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that seems reasonable" to politely express agreement or acceptance, especially when acknowledging someone else's point of view or suggestion. This phrasing maintains a respectful and collaborative tone.

Common error

While "that seems reasonable" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less decisive. Consider stronger alternatives like "that is a valid point" or "that is a logical conclusion" to convey more authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems reasonable" functions as an adverbial phrase expressing agreement, acceptance, or acknowledgment of a statement or proposal. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common use in expressing approval. Examples across various sources illustrate its role in indicating that something is logical, acceptable, or appropriate in a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that seems reasonable" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express agreement or acknowledgment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its neutral register and broad applicability make it suitable for diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While it’s a useful and versatile phrase, consider stronger alternatives in formal writing to convey more authority. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's widespread use across authoritative sources, underscoring its reliability and acceptability in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's a reasonable assumption

Specifies that the reasonable aspect is related to an assumption.

that seems plausible

Emphasizes the believability or possibility of something.

that sounds sensible

Shifts from 'reasonable' to 'sensible', indicating a practical approach.

that appears logical

Changes from a general sentiment to a focus on logical consistency.

that seems acceptable

Focuses on acceptance rather than the inherent logic or suitability.

that stands to reason

Uses a more formal idiom to express that something is logically coherent.

that's a fair assessment

Replaces the sentiment with an explicit judgment of fairness.

that's a valid point

Acknowledges the correctness or strength of an argument.

i find that agreeable

Uses a first-person perspective to express personal agreement.

that tracks

A more informal way to say that something aligns with expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "that seems reasonable" in a sentence?

Use "that seems reasonable" to express agreement or acceptance of a proposal or statement. For example, "Meeting at 3 PM sounds good" could be followed by "that seems reasonable, let's do it".

What are some alternatives to "that seems reasonable"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that seems plausible", "that sounds sensible", or "that's a reasonable assumption", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "that seems reasonable" in formal writing?

While acceptable, using "that seems reasonable" repeatedly in formal writing can make your tone sound less authoritative. Consider using stronger affirmations such as "that is a valid point".

What's the difference between "that seems reasonable" and "that seems logical"?

While both express agreement, "that seems reasonable" implies that something is practical and acceptable, while "that appears logical" suggests that something follows a clear, rational line of reasoning. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific situation.