The words "reasonable" and "sensible" are often confused, but they have distinct meanings. "Reasonable" means something is fair, justifiable, and expected. It suggests a logical basis. "Sensible," on the other hand, implies something is practical and shows good judgment. It focuses on avoiding problems or risks.

Let's look at some examples to clarify the difference:

Reasonable:

• "It's reasonable to expect some homework over the weekend." (Meaning: This is a fair and expected amount of work.)
• "Her request for a pay rise was perfectly reasonable, considering her experience." (Meaning: Her request was fair and justified.)

Sensible:

• "It's sensible to wear a coat in this cold weather." (Meaning: Wearing a coat is a practical and smart choice to avoid getting cold.)
• "He made the sensible decision to save some money before buying a car." (Meaning: Saving money was a wise and responsible choice.)

Here's a table summarizing the key distinctions:

| Feature | Reasonable | Sensible | |----------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Meaning | Fair, justifiable, logical, expected | Practical, wise, showing good judgment | | Focus | Logic and fairness | Avoiding risks and problems | | Example | A reasonable price, a reasonable request | A sensible plan, a sensible decision |

Notice that sometimes the words can overlap. For example, a "reasonable" plan might also be a "sensible" one. However, the core difference lies in the emphasis: reasonableness highlights justification, while sensibleness emphasizes practicality and prudence.

Happy learning!