a sound alibi

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sound alibi" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a strong or credible excuse that justifies someone's actions or whereabouts, particularly in legal contexts. Example: "The defendant presented a sound alibi, proving he was miles away from the crime scene at the time of the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A GRADE-A MYSTERY "A" Is for Alibi — by Sue Grafton (Bantam Books, $6.99).

Forbes

DNA evidence appeared to clear the three, and one had a solid alibi.

The Economist

And when people said, finally, "There are a lot of dictators, and the U.S. supports most of them," this sounded to me like a suave alibi for doing nothing.

The New York Times - Magazine

A corruption trial involving two Yonkers lawmakers involves an unusual alibi: a romantic love story.

The New York Times

But Alexandria is merely an alibi, a mold, a construct.

The New York Times - Arts

This human Pinterest board has a winning smile and an airtight alibi.

The New Yorker

He had secretly given a friend £19,000 for an alibi.

The Guardian - Sport

They carried out that ghastly act while you sat in a pub giving yourself an alibi".

BBC

I like a trendy alibi.

The New York Times - Style

And the accused had a perfect alibi.

The New York Times

Sure enough, Lumumba produced a reliable alibi.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When constructing "a sound alibi", ensure it's supported by verifiable evidence like receipts, witnesses, or time-stamped records to enhance its credibility.

Common error

Avoid depending solely on personal testimonies to establish "a sound alibi". While character references can help, they are often less persuasive than concrete, irrefutable evidence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a sound alibi" is that of a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object, describing the quality of the alibi. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing a credible justification.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sound alibi" is a grammatically correct and semantically rich expression used to describe a credible and well-supported excuse. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. While specific examples are limited, the phrase is understood to convey a sense of reliability and trustworthiness. Alternative phrases such as ""a solid alibi"" or ""a credible alibi"" offer similar meanings. When using "a sound alibi", ensure it is supported by concrete evidence to bolster its believability and consider that over-reliance on character testimony is not the best way to establish it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid alibi

Replaces "sound" with "solid", indicating a strong and reliable alibi.

a credible alibi

Substitutes "sound" with "credible", emphasizing the believability of the alibi.

a convincing alibi

Replaces "sound" with "convincing", highlighting the alibi's ability to persuade others.

an airtight alibi

Uses "airtight" to suggest an alibi that is impossible to disprove.

a strong alibi

Replaces "sound" with "strong", indicating the alibi's robustness and resilience to scrutiny.

a verifiable alibi

Highlights that the alibi can be confirmed or proven true.

a reliable alibi

Focuses on the dependability and trustworthiness of the alibi.

a plausible alibi

Emphasizes that the alibi appears reasonable and believable.

an unshakeable alibi

Uses "unshakeable" to convey that the alibi is firm and cannot be easily challenged.

a foolproof alibi

Suggests that the alibi is so well-constructed that it is impossible to fail.

FAQs

How can I use "a sound alibi" in a sentence?

You can use "a sound alibi" to describe a credible excuse or justification, such as, "The defendant presented "a sound alibi", proving he was out of the state during the crime."

What are some alternatives to saying "a sound alibi"?

Alternatives include "a solid alibi", "a credible alibi", or "an airtight alibi", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What makes an alibi "sound"?

A "sound" alibi is one that is logical, consistent, supported by evidence, and free from contradictions. It effectively accounts for a person's whereabouts during a specific event.

Is there a difference between "a sound alibi" and "a good alibi"?

While both phrases are similar, ""a sound alibi"" implies a more rigorously constructed and logically consistent defense, whereas "a good alibi" can be more general.