it rings true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it rings true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something feels authentic, believable, or resonates with your understanding of a situation. Example: "Her explanation of the events was so detailed and sincere that it rings true to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not just because of the sex and the violence, but because, at its heart, it rings true.

The Guardian - Opinion

The title above is a quote that I read and couldn't find its source, but it rings true.

Huffington Post

Sadly, it rings true.

The Guardian - Business

And it rings true, too.

The Guardian - Film

It rings true, all right.

The Guardian - Books

The son now observes, "It rings true".

The Economist

"And it rings true," adds Gibbons.

The Guardian - Film

It's a damning indictment, but it rings true.

The New York Times

And it is right, it's just right; it rings true.

The Guardian - Books

Postdated it may be, but it rings true.

The New York Times - Arts

Everything Alex Crevar said about it rings true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it rings true" to convey that something feels authentic or aligns with your understanding and experience. This phrase is effective when you want to express a sense of agreement or validation.

Common error

While "it rings true" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. In academic papers or formal reports, opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary such as "it appears valid" or "it seems plausible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it rings true" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating that something aligns with one's personal understanding or intuition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and often used to express agreement or validation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it rings true" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey that something feels authentic or believable. Ludwig AI identifies its primary function as a subjective assessment, indicating alignment with one's personal understanding. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral to informal register. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "it appears valid" or "it seems plausible". Remember to avoid overusing "it rings true" in highly formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has the ring of truth

Emphasizes that something possesses an inherent quality of truthfulness.

it feels authentic

Highlights the genuine or real nature of something.

it resonates with me

Emphasizes personal agreement or understanding.

it's credible

Focuses on the quality of being believable and trustworthy.

it seems plausible

Focuses on the believability of something.

it checks out

Indicates that something has been verified and found to be accurate.

it sounds right

Emphasizes the correctness or accuracy of a statement.

it holds water

Implies that an argument or explanation is logically sound and defensible.

it appears valid

Indicates that something has a legitimate or sound basis.

it strikes a chord

Suggests a deeper, emotional resonance or connection.

FAQs

How can I use "it rings true" in a sentence?

You can use "it rings true" to express that something feels authentic, believable, or resonates with your understanding of a situation. For example, "Her explanation of the events was so detailed and sincere that it rings true to me".

What does "it rings true" mean?

"It rings true" means that something seems authentic, genuine, or believable. It suggests that a statement or explanation aligns with one's own understanding or experience.

What can I say instead of "it rings true"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems plausible", "it feels authentic", or "it sounds right" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it rings true" a formal expression?

While "it rings true" is widely understood and acceptable in many contexts, it is generally considered more informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "it appears valid" or "it seems credible".