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Prepositions after adjectives

Reasonable for vs. reasonable in

Reasonable for is common for people, prices, and situations. Reasonable in refers to behaviour or judgment within an area.

Quick answer

Main use

Use reasonable for to show suitability or fairness for someone or something. Use reasonable in to describe behaviour or decisions within a context.

The price is reasonable for a city hotel.
She was reasonable in negotiations.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
reasonable for + person/thing

Showing suitability or fairness

For introduces the affected person or standard.

The deadline is reasonable for our team.
2
reasonable in + situation

Describing behaviour or judgment

In introduces the context of the behaviour.

He remained reasonable in the discussion.
3
reasonable for + price

Talking about acceptable cost

A very common use with prices and demands.

That fee seems reasonable for the service provided.
4
reasonable to + verb

Explaining logical actions

This is another frequent pattern.

It is reasonable to ask questions.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
reasonable for
The request is reasonable for a beginner.
Suitable or fair in relation to someone or something.
reasonable in
She was reasonable in her criticism.
Balanced or fair within a context.
reasonable about
He is reasonable about deadlines.
Practical regarding a topic.
reasonable with
The teacher was reasonable with the students.
Fair in treatment.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in for suitability

For is better when judging appropriateness.

✕ The salary is reasonable in graduates. ✓ The salary is reasonable for graduates.

Using for with behaviour

In may fit better when describing conduct.

✕ She was reasonable for the meeting. ✓ She was reasonable in the meeting.

Missing a comparison point

Reasonable often needs context.

✓ The rent is reasonable for this area.

Confusing reasonable and realistic

Reasonable means fair or sensible.

✕ Be reasonable about the weather forecast. ✓ Be realistic about the weather forecast.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The price seems ___ this neighbourhood.
2. She stayed calm and reasonable ___ the debate.
3. It is reasonable ___ expect delays.

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Frequently asked questions

Is reasonable for common?

Yes. It is widely used for prices, expectations, and suitability.

Can I use reasonable in?

Yes, especially for behaviour or judgment in a situation.

What does reasonable with mean?

It usually describes fair treatment of people.

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