with reasonable confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with reasonable confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a belief or assertion that is supported by sufficient evidence or rationale, but not absolute certainty. Example: "Based on the data collected, we can say with reasonable confidence that the new marketing strategy will increase sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You could buy the machine with reasonable confidence that one of them will suit you.

The Guardian - Tech

TWO things can be said with reasonable confidence about the confused events in Fiji.

The Economist

Given the essential elusiveness of goodness, why not focus on something we can judge with reasonable confidence?

The Guardian - Books

I can say this with reasonable confidence, because I've spent several years travelling in search of the remaining wild places of these islands.

The Guardian - Travel

Though one can say, with reasonable confidence, that rich people tend to be happier than poor people, there's surprisingly little evidence that becoming richer actually increases people's happiness.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, despite these limitations and uncertainties, VSEPR theory is a useful rule of thumb and can be used with reasonable confidence for numerous species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It took a while to get here, but it is now possible to say with reasonable confidence that the families of victims of the terrorist attacks will be fairly compensated.

The New York Times

Of course, the question is better suited to a challenger than an incumbent, and Mr. Reagan could ask it with reasonable confidence that most voters would answer no; it is doubtful whether that same certainty exists for President Bush.

The New York Times

From my own recent soundings in Europe, I can conclude with reasonable confidence that every one of the other 27 states of the EU desperately wants us to "Remain".

The Guardian

So, mindful that my glimpse into the new year is but a stab in the dark, I think we can still predict with reasonable confidence that 2016 will be every bit as difficult as 2015.

The Guardian

But amid all the uncertainties, one thing that can be said with reasonable confidence is that Cameron has reduced his chances of being Prime Minister after the next General Election.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with reasonable confidence" to express a professional judgement in formal contexts, especially when absolute certainty is not possible.

Common error

Avoid using "with reasonable confidence" when your claim is based on limited or weak evidence. Overstating your confidence can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with reasonable confidence" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the degree of certainty or assurance with which an action is performed or a statement is made. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with reasonable confidence" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express a qualified assertion, indicating a strong belief supported by evidence without claiming absolute certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news media sources, it conveys objectivity and precision. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure your statements are backed by solid reasoning to maintain credibility and avoid overstating your level of assurance. Alternatives such as "with a fair degree of certainty" or "with a solid level of assurance" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with justifiable confidence

Direct synonym providing similar meaning.

with justified certainty

Similar to "with a fair degree of certainty", but stresses the justification for the certainty.

with a fair degree of certainty

Replaces "reasonable confidence" with "fair degree of certainty", emphasizing the level of assurance.

with a solid level of assurance

Substitutes "reasonable confidence" with "solid level of assurance", highlighting the strength of the belief.

with good reason to believe

Emphasizes the justification for the belief rather than the degree of confidence itself.

on the basis of strong evidence

Focuses on the supporting evidence, implying a well-founded confidence.

with substantial justification

Highlights the significant reasons supporting the confidence.

with considerable grounds for optimism

Shifts the focus to optimism, while still implying a reasonable basis for it.

with well-founded expectations

Emphasizes that the expectations are based on solid foundations.

in all likelihood

This alternative express a probability with the same meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "with reasonable confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "with reasonable confidence" to express a belief or assertion supported by evidence but not absolute certainty. For example, "Based on the trials, we can say "with reasonable confidence" that the drug is effective."

What phrases are similar to "with reasonable confidence"?

Alternatives include "with a fair degree of certainty", "with a solid level of assurance", or "with good reason to believe". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "with reasonable confidence" in academic writing?

Yes, "with reasonable confidence" is suitable for academic writing when you want to express a conclusion that is well-supported but not definitively proven. It acknowledges the inherent uncertainties in research while still conveying a strong degree of belief.

What distinguishes "with reasonable confidence" from "with certainty"?

"With certainty" implies absolute, undeniable proof, while "with reasonable confidence" suggests a strong belief based on available evidence, acknowledging that some level of uncertainty remains. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the strength of your evidence.