Cool MateReasonably vs Relatively
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Reasonably
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Relatively
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Reasonably | Relatively | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːznəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːznəbli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈrelətɪvli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈrelətɪvli/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a fair or sensible way. | The same as or similar to something else; when comparing things. |
| Example | The instructions are reasonably straightforward. | The results are relatively similar to those from last year. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | reasonably priced, reasonably good, reasonably sure | relatively small, relatively new, relatively easy, relatively few |
| Antonyms | unreasonably, irrationally | absolutely, entirely |
| Common mistakes | Using 'reasonably' instead of 'reason' as a noun., Confusing 'reasonably' with 'reasonable' which is an adjective., Placing 'reasonably' incorrectly in a sentence, leading to awkward phrasing. | Using 'relatively' without a comparison (e.g. saying 'relatively good' without context)., Confusing with 'relevant' which has a different meaning., Omitting the word it is comparing to, e.g., saying 'relatively' alone. |
| Usage notes | Use 'reasonably' to indicate that something is acceptable or moderate. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but might sound overly formal in very casual conversations. | Use 'relatively' to compare things or show a connection. It's neutral, so it's suitable for both spoken and written English. Avoid in very informal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Reasonably vs Relatively
What's the difference between Reasonably and Relatively?
Reasonably: In a fair or sensible way. Relatively: The same as or similar to something else; when comparing things.
Are Reasonably and Relatively the same CEFR level?
Reasonably: B2, Relatively: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Reasonably and Relatively?
Reasonably: adverb, Relatively: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Reasonably: The instructions are reasonably straightforward. Relatively: The results are relatively similar to those from last year.
Can I use Reasonably and Relatively interchangeably?
Not always. Reasonably and Relatively 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.