within reasonable bounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within reasonable bounds" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to stay within a reasonable or acceptable limit or range. Example: "The government's new tax proposal seems to be within reasonable bounds and has received positive feedback from most citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The often bewildering variety of concepts used to keep liability within reasonable bounds, however, should not conceal the fact that the policy reasons behind such moves are common to all.

Britannica

Within reasonable bounds he will respect local government's autonomy.

The Guardian

The president has a right, within reasonable bounds, to name individuals whose philosophy he finds compatible.

The New York Times

Therefore the growth of ivy on trees should be kept within reasonable bounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The government has sought to keep the balance-of-payments deficit within reasonable bounds by slowing the economy.

The Economist

During his campaign, President-elect George W. Bush promised to modernize America's armed forces while keeping his defense budget within reasonable bounds.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Viewed over all, national economic performance in the first half of the year was generally stable, and the main indicators remain within the reasonable bounds for the annual forecast," Mr. Sheng said during a news conference broadcast live on Chinese television.

The New York Times

Within physiologically reasonable bounds on five material parameters and four attachment parameters associated with a meniscal replacement, an optimization was performed under 1200 N of compressive load on the set of nine parameters to minimize the difference between the experimental and model results.

Journal of Biomechanics

This time we allowed the density values to vary in each rock unit within geologically reasonable bounds.

Geothermal Energy

Changing these parameters within biologically reasonable bounds produced increases and decreases of 5 20% for impact force and stress and indicates that the baseline results are relatively robust.

Plosone

Within reasonable uncertainty bounds, and on a spatially distributed basis, SHETRAN is shown able to represent the annual catchment water balance as well as important features of the event-scale response.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within reasonable bounds" to indicate that actions, policies, or quantities should remain within justifiable and acceptable limits, preventing extremes or excesses.

Common error

Avoid interpreting "within reasonable bounds" as a justification for inaction or complacency. It sets a limit, not a target; continuous improvement is still possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within reasonable bounds" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a limit or restriction on an action or state. It clarifies the extent to which something is permissible or acceptable, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within reasonable bounds" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that sets limits on actions, quantities, or outcomes. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it is important to convey intentions to stay within justifiable and acceptable limits. Related phrases include "within rational bounds" and "within acceptable limits", each offering slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid overly restrictive interpretations and leverage the phrase to prevent extremes while still encouraging progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within rational bounds

Replaces "reasonable" with "rational", suggesting a focus on logical justification rather than general acceptability.

within acceptable bounds

Substitutes "reasonable" with "acceptable", emphasizing general approval or permissibility.

within reasonable constraints

Uses "constraints" instead of "bounds", highlighting limitations or restrictions rather than limits.

within proper bounds

Substitutes "reasonable" with "proper", suggesting adherence to established rules or standards.

within reasonable limit

Uses the singular "limit" instead of the plural "bounds", referring to a single, specific threshold.

within sensible bounds

Replaces "reasonable" with "sensible", indicating practicality and good judgment.

within reasonable amounts

Replaces "bounds" with "amounts", applicable when referring to quantities or resources.

within reasonable boundary

Uses "boundary" in the singular, to indicate a perimeter.

within manageable bounds

Emphasizes the ease of control and administration. "Manageable" replaces "reasonable".

within plausible bounds

Highlights believability and credibility. "Plausible" replaces "reasonable".

FAQs

How can I use "within reasonable bounds" in a sentence?

You can use "within reasonable bounds" to suggest that actions or quantities should remain within acceptable limits, like in the sentence: "The project's budget should be kept "within reasonable bounds" to ensure financial stability."

What can I say instead of "within reasonable bounds"?

Alternatives to "within reasonable bounds" include phrases such as "within acceptable limits", "within rational bounds", or "within manageable constraints", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "within reasonable bounds" or "within reasonable limits"?

Both ""within reasonable bounds"" and "within reasonable limits" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context. "Bounds" suggests a broader range, while "limits" implies a more defined threshold.

What's the difference between "within reasonable bounds" and "within proper bounds"?

"Within reasonable bounds" implies staying within generally acceptable or justifiable limits, while "within proper bounds" suggests adhering to established rules or standards. The former focuses on general acceptability, and the latter on correctness or adherence to norms.