Cool MateModerate vs Reasonable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Moderate
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Reasonable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
| Moderate | Reasonable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmɒdərət/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmɑːdərət/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːznəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːznəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not too much or too little; average. | Fair and sensible; not extreme. |
| Example | students of moderate ability | It is reasonable to assume that the meeting will start on time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, very, fairly, relatively, be, very, fairly, relatively, be, very, fairly, relatively | appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | extreme, excessive, immoderate | unreasonable, irrational, excessive |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'moderation' which refers to the practice of avoiding extremes., Using 'moderate' when 'moderately' is needed, especially in adverbial contexts., Assuming 'moderate' always has a positive connotation; it can also imply something is lacking in intensity. | Confused with 'rational' which is more about logic than fairness., Using 'reasonable' to describe an extreme opinion or action., Incorrectly spelling it as 'resonable'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'moderate' when describing something that is average or reasonable. It often applies to intensity, size, or quantity. It's appropriate in conversations about weather, exercise, or opinions, but might seem too vague in more specific contexts. | Typically used to describe actions, opinions, or decisions that are logical. Avoid in overly emotional contexts or when discussing extreme views. |
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Frequently asked questions: Moderate vs Reasonable
What's the difference between Moderate and Reasonable?
Moderate: Not too much or too little; average. Reasonable: Fair and sensible; not extreme.
Which is more advanced: Moderate and Reasonable?
Moderate is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Moderate and Reasonable the same CEFR level?
Moderate: C1, Reasonable: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Moderate and Reasonable?
Moderate: adjective, Reasonable: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Moderate: students of moderate ability Reasonable: It is reasonable to assume that the meeting will start on time.
Can I use Moderate and Reasonable interchangeably?
Not always. Moderate and Reasonable 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.