Sounds reasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Sounds reasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express agreement or acceptance of a suggestion, idea, or proposal. Example: "After reviewing the plan, I must say it sounds reasonable to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sounds reasonable enough.

The New York Times

"Sounds reasonable," Cal said.

The New Yorker

Sounds reasonable to me!

The New York Times

Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

The Guardian - Opinion

Sounds reasonable enough to me.

The New York Times

Sounds reasonable, but not to everyone.

The New York Times

"Sounds reasonable," one of the men said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sounds reasonable.

The New York Times

Sounds reasonable, right?

The New York Times - Tech

Sounds reasonable, but it doesn't wash.

Forbes

Sounds reasonable enough on the surface.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Sounds reasonable" as a professional way to acknowledge a suggestion or a compromise during negotiations. It signals that you find the logic sound without necessarily agreeing to every minor detail immediately.

Common error

Avoid using "Sounds reasonable" if you intend to show high excitement or full-hearted endorsement. The phrase is a marker of moderate approval; using it for something you find exceptional can make you sound indifferent or even dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Sounds reasonable" functions as a predicative adjective phrase that typically operates through subject ellipsis (dropping "It" or "That"). Ludwig AI confirms its status as a valid and common response in English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Opinion & Commentary

5%

Less common in

Scientific

1%

Academic Papers

2%

Technical Documentation

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Sounds reasonable" is a versatile and highly common tool in English, as demonstrated by the vast number of examples found in Ludwig. It serves as a balanced way to show agreement with the logic or fairness of a proposal. While it is grammatically correct and perfectly acceptable in professional settings, it is best used when you want to signal that a plan or statement is logical and acceptable without necessarily being perfect or exciting. By using it correctly, you can navigate negotiations and discussions with a tone that is both agreeable and analytical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Makes sense

Focuses on the logical clarity of the statement rather than the fairness of the proposal

Seems fair

Shifts the emphasis toward equity and justice in a negotiation or deal

Sounds sensible

Adds a nuance of practical wisdom or groundedness

Appears logical

A more formal and slightly more detached way to express agreement

Sounds plausible

Implies that the idea is believable but perhaps requires further verification

That is acceptable

Directly addresses the criteria for approval without the sensory metaphor of 'sounding'

Looks appropriate

Visual metaphor typically used when reviewing written plans or visual data

Seems like a good idea

Adds a more explicitly positive evaluation of the proposal

That's a valid point

Used specifically to acknowledge a single argument within a larger discussion

It checks out

An informal idiom implying that the facts or logic have been verified

FAQs

How to use "Sounds reasonable" in a sentence?

You can use "Sounds reasonable" as a standalone response to a proposal or integrated into a full sentence like "That <a href="/s/plan+sounds+reasonable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">plan sounds reasonable to me."

What can I say instead of "Sounds reasonable"?

Depending on your specific meaning, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/makes+sense" target="_blank" rel="alternative">makes sense", "<a href="/s/seems+fair" target="_blank" rel="alternative">seems fair", or "<a href="/s/sounds+sensible" target="_blank" rel="alternative">sounds sensible".

Is "Sounds reasonable" formal or informal?

The phrase is neutral and widely used in both professional environments and casual conversation. It is frequently seen in high-authority news sources like The New York Times.

What is the difference between "Sounds reasonable" and "Seems fair"?

"Sounds reasonable" usually refers to the internal logic or feasibility of an idea, while "<a href="/s/seems+fair" target="_blank" rel="alternative">seems fair" specifically addresses whether a distribution of resources or a compromise is equitable.