That makes sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "That makes sense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express understanding or agreement with a statement or explanation provided by someone else. Example: "After hearing your explanation about the project timeline, I can see why you chose that approach. That makes sense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

LIZADONNELLY: Oh, that makes sense.

The New Yorker

Yes, that makes sense.

The New York Times

Sure, that makes sense.

The Guardian - Film

It's a reality that makes sense.

The New York Times

"Ah, that makes sense," DiDonato said.

The New Yorker

MEGHAN O'ROURKE: Yes, that makes sense.

The New Yorker

In a way, that makes sense.

The New York Times

To me, that makes sense.

The New York Times

In many ways, that makes sense.

BBC

Oh, that makes sense.

TechCrunch

"In theory, that makes sense.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your response; "That makes sense" is generally neutral and can be adapted to different levels of formality.

Common error

Avoid using "That makes sense" excessively in formal writing. While acceptable, alternatives like "I understand" or "That is understandable" might lend a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "That makes sense" functions as an interjection or a short declarative sentence used to express comprehension, agreement, or acknowledgement of the logic or reasoning behind a statement or situation. As Ludwig AI confirm, the phrase is deemed correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "That makes sense" is a common expression used to indicate understanding and agreement, appropriate for various contexts ranging from casual conversations to news articles. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed correct. While alternatives exist for more formal settings, "That makes sense" is a versatile phrase. Its high frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Guardian confirms its widespread acceptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I understand your point

Expresses comprehension of a viewpoint or argument, shifting focus to the speaker's understanding.

That is understandable

Highlights the comprehensibility of a situation or statement, changing the emphasis slightly.

I see your reasoning

Acknowledges the logic behind a line of thought, emphasizing recognition of the reasoning process.

That clarifies things

Indicates that something has become clearer or easier to understand as a result of new information.

That explains it

Indicates that a prior confusion has been resolved and the situation is now clear, focusing on the explanation.

That's perfectly logical

Emphasizes the rational and coherent nature of something, adding a degree of affirmation.

I get it now

Signals a moment of realization or comprehension, using a more informal tone.

That registers with me

Suggests that something has been acknowledged and processed, indicating mental registration.

Point taken

Acknowledges the validity of a statement or argument, often implying agreement or concession.

I concur

Formally expresses agreement with a statement or opinion, suited for more formal settings.

FAQs

How can I use "That makes sense" in a sentence?

Use "That makes sense" to express understanding or agreement after someone has explained something. For instance, "After hearing your explanation, "that makes sense"."

What can I say instead of "That makes sense"?

You can use alternatives like "I understand", "That's understandable", or "I see your point depending on the specific context.

Is it okay to use "That makes sense" in professional emails?

Yes, "That makes sense" is generally acceptable in professional emails, especially when responding to explanations or proposals. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "I understand" for higher formality contexts.

What's the difference between "That makes sense" and "that made sense"?

"That makes sense" implies present understanding, while "that made sense" refers to past understanding. Use "That makes sense" when you currently understand something. Use "that made sense" when you understood something at a previous time.