Cool MateReasonable vs Sensible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Reasonable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Sensible
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
| Reasonable | Sensible | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːznəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːznəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsensəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsensəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Fair and sensible; not extreme. | Logical and wise. Making good choices. |
| Example | It is reasonable to assume that the meeting will start on time. | It was sensible of her to save money for emergencies. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very | appear, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | unreasonable, irrational, excessive | foolish, irrational, illogical |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'rational' which is more about logic than fairness., Using 'reasonable' to describe an extreme opinion or action., Incorrectly spelling it as 'resonable'. | Confused with 'sensitive' (related to feelings), Using overly complex synonyms instead of 'sensible', Misplacing it in sentences where a different adjective fits better |
| Usage notes | Typically used to describe actions, opinions, or decisions that are logical. Avoid in overly emotional contexts or when discussing extreme views. | Used to describe decisions or actions that are reasonable. It is appropriate in both casual and formal contexts but may sound overly formal in relaxed conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Reasonable vs Sensible
What's the difference between Reasonable and Sensible?
Reasonable: Fair and sensible; not extreme. Sensible: Logical and wise. Making good choices.
Which is more advanced: Reasonable and Sensible?
Reasonable is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Reasonable and Sensible the same CEFR level?
Reasonable: B2, Sensible: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Reasonable and Sensible?
Reasonable: adjective, Sensible: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Reasonable: It is reasonable to assume that the meeting will start on time. Sensible: It was sensible of her to save money for emergencies.
Can I use Reasonable and Sensible interchangeably?
Not always. Reasonable and Sensible are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.