within reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"within reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when someone is providing or asking for permission or agreement with certain conditions. For example, "I'll let you borrow my car - but only within reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"That's certainly within reason".

The New York Times - Sports

Within reason, yes.

The New York Times

Within reason, we presume.

The Guardian - Travel

Within reason, obviously.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A. They should do that, within reason.

The New York Times - Science

We can embrace the present, within reason.

The Guardian

Mr. Obama should still press — within reason.

The New York Times

I curb it within reason.

The Guardian

Within reason, we can wait".

The New York Times

She had everything within reason.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Find your sex appeal--within reason.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within reason" to qualify a statement, ensuring it is understood as not being absolute or without limits. For instance, "You can ask for help, within reason" indicates there are sensible boundaries to how much help can be requested.

Common error

Avoid using "within reason" as a generic qualifier without clearly implying what constitutes 'reason.' Be specific about the limitations you're setting to avoid ambiguity. Instead of saying "You can have anything within reason", specify "You can have anything from the menu within reason, up to $20."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within reason" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb, adjective, or clause to indicate that an action or state is limited by considerations of practicality, sensibility, or fairness. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within reason" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to impose implicit limits or conditions, indicating that something is acceptable or permissible only if it is sensible and practical. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media. While adaptable to various contexts, from formal to informal, clarity is key: ensure the implied limitations are clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "to a reasonable extent" can offer a more descriptive approach. Using "within reason" effectively involves balancing flexibility with clear boundaries, making it a valuable tool in both writing and conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a reasonable extent

This alternative replaces "within reason" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the idea of moderation.

as far as is reasonable

This alternative emphasizes the boundary of what is considered acceptable or practical.

within sensible limits

This alternative uses 'sensible' to clarify the type of limits implied, adding specificity.

to a certain degree

This phrase suggests a limitation or qualification, similar to "within reason", but is more general.

within acceptable bounds

This implies staying within defined and agreed-upon constraints.

subject to reasonable limitations

This is a more formal and explicit way of expressing the concept of "within reason".

under reasonable conditions

This phrase specifies that the action is permissible if certain reasonable criteria are met.

with due consideration

This suggests actions should be performed thoughtfully and appropriately, bearing relevance to the context.

in a balanced manner

This alternative conveys the idea of moderation and avoiding extremes.

provided it's practical

This emphasizes the practicality and feasibility aspect of "within reason".

FAQs

How can I use "within reason" in a sentence?

Use "within reason" to indicate that something is permissible or acceptable, but not without limits. For example, "I encourage creativity, within reason" means that creativity is welcome as long as it remains practical and appropriate.

What are some alternatives to saying "within reason"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to a reasonable extent", "within sensible limits", or "subject to reasonable limitations".

Is it appropriate to use "within reason" in formal writing?

Yes, "within reason" can be used in formal writing, but ensure the context is clear and the limitations implied are well-understood. In some cases, a more explicit phrase may be preferable, such as "subject to reasonable limitations".

What does "within reason" actually mean?

"Within reason" means that something is acceptable as long as it is sensible, practical, and does not go to extremes. It implies that there are unstated but understood limits to what is allowed or expected.