it seems sound

USAGE SUMMARY

"it seems sound" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing an opinion or belief that something is acceptable or logical. For example, "My plan to leave early and avoid the traffic seems sound."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

WITH California experiencing rolling blackouts and other parts of the country, including New York, worried about shortages this summer, it seems sound enough to review environmental controls.

The New York Times

"It seems sound policy for the administration to provide these loan guarantees," said Paul Bledsoe, a former energy aide in the Clinton White House who is now a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund.

The New York Times

Her moral is a little vague, though it seems sound: the phallus represents power without a conscience; it cannot, therefore, be trusted; while it sometimes lies low, you can't keep it down.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, as we know that sleeping problems have an adverse effect on health, it seems sound to also include in questionnaires.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

In PM, HLA-DR expression was shown associated with that of IFNγ, Ii, CIITA and HLA-DM [ 19], and it seems sound to consider that HLA-DR expression reflects the presence of IFNγ in myofiber microenvironment.

Acta neuropathologica communications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Genuine lack of interest, it seems, sounds like this irreverent reaction from a prominent Harvard professor who has been nominated and who asked not to be named: "Why would I want that job?

The New York Times

To alleviate these problems in detection of orthologs, it seems sounder to use more theoretically consistent approaches.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In many respect, this notion seems sound: it is likely a research program that many phylogenomicists will be tempted to embrace.

Biology Direct

"But Nick is exponentially more well-known than I am, and it just seems sounder to focus the attention on him".

The New York Times

This observation seems sound, but it hardly follows that the idea of natural lottery must be rejected altogether.

SEP

(Schauer 2003: 137 141) The Court's reasoning here seems sound, because it is possible that there was something discriminatory about the way in which the school had defined success.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems sound" to express that a plan, idea, or decision appears to be logical or well-founded based on the available information. For stronger emphasis of validity, use it when you've considered potential flaws.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems sound" as a substitute for a more thorough analysis. Always provide reasoning or evidence to support your assertion to give more weight to your opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems sound" primarily functions as an evaluative expression, indicating an assessment of an idea, plan, or argument as reasonable or logical. The examples provided by Ludwig show its use in various contexts, reinforcing its function of expressing a tentative positive judgment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems sound" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that suggests an idea or plan appears logical and well-reasoned, as validated by Ludwig. Its primary function is to express a degree of agreement with a hint of reservation. It finds common application in news, scientific, and professional contexts, highlighting its versatility across different communication styles. While "it seems sound" is a useful phrase for expressing tentative approval, it's essential to support your assessment with justification to make your perspective more convincing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears reasonable

Uses 'appears' instead of 'seems' and 'reasonable' instead of 'sound', focusing on the impression of being sensible.

it looks plausible

Substitutes 'seems' with 'looks' and 'sound' with 'plausible', highlighting the apparent credibility.

it strikes me as logical

Replaces the impersonal 'it seems' with a more personal 'it strikes me', emphasizing a personal judgment of logical validity.

it gives the impression of being valid

Focuses on the impression given, using 'valid' in place of 'sound', highlighting the perceived correctness.

it presents itself as a good idea

Emphasizes the presentation of the idea, suggesting it is well-conceived.

it comes across as sensible

Uses 'comes across' to indicate how the idea is perceived, suggesting practicality and good judgment.

it holds up to scrutiny

Indicates that the idea remains valid even when closely examined.

it stands to reason

Suggests that the idea is logical and follows naturally from the given facts.

the rationale is convincing

Shifts focus to the underlying reason, stating it is persuasive.

the logic seems impeccable

Highlights the perfection and flawless nature of the underlying logic.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems sound" in a sentence?

"It seems sound" is used to express that an idea or plan appears to be logical or well-reasoned. For example, "Considering the data, the proposed solution "it seems sound"".

What are some alternatives to "it seems sound"?

Alternatives include "it appears reasonable", "it looks plausible", or "it strikes me as logical". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "it seems sound"?

Use "it seems sound" when you have considered an idea or plan and believe it is logical or well-founded, but you may not have all the information or definitive proof. It implies a tentative endorsement.

What does "it seems sound" imply about the certainty of an outcome?

"It seems sound" suggests a level of confidence without absolute certainty. It acknowledges that while the idea appears logical, unforeseen factors could still impact the outcome. Other phrases, such as "it is certain" would imply a higher level of confidence.