it sounds highly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it sounds highly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong opinion or impression about something, often followed by an adjective or adverb. Example: "Based on the evidence presented, it sounds highly plausible that the theory is correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Even as a writer's conceit, it sounds highly improbable and it is, but slightly less so in France.

The Guardian

It sounds highly unlikely but, according to the Real Madrid winger's leaked contractual agreements, the Welshman's former club have first option on him should he choose to leave the Santiago Bernabeu.

Independent

"It sounds highly improbable," commented Nic Thomas from Switzerland's University of Bern.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It all sounds highly practical, granted, but don't passions run uncomfortably high at times? "Well, yes, there's no getting away from the fact that if you've had an intimate, sexual relationship with someone, then you are going to have to be very sure that you've worked through all those feelings before you agree to live with them again," says Denise Knowles.

The Guardian

Biderman sounds highly motivated to put it to work, too.

TechCrunch

If all of this sounds highly theatrical, Ms. Foster is quick to caution that "it's really not theater.

The New York Times

"This sounds highly probable".

Independent

All this sounds highly promising for Ed Miliband.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her life with Cranham sounds highly entertaining.

The Guardian

But Krasnova's experience hardly sounds "highly improbable".

The New York Times - Books

At the moment, however, Ms. Palin's message sounds highly "Sarah-centric".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sounds highly" to express a strong impression or assessment based on available information, especially when you want to convey a sense of near certainty without claiming absolute knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "it sounds highly" when you only have weak or unreliable evidence. It's best suited for scenarios where you have substantial grounds for your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sounds highly" functions as an evaluative expression. It indicates the speaker's assessment or perception of something based on available information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it sounds highly" is a grammatically correct and usable expression employed to convey a strong impression or judgment. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring the level of certainty aligns with the supporting evidence. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various communication scenarios. Alternatives such as it seems very or it appears quite can be considered for subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems very

Replaces "sounds" with "seems", altering the sensory verb while keeping the high degree of probability.

it appears quite

Substitutes "sounds" with "appears" and "highly" with "quite", modifying the level of emphasis.

it strikes me as very

Introduces a personal perspective ("it strikes me") while maintaining a similar level of certainty.

it gives the impression of being

Focuses on the impression created, changing the phrase structure while conveying a similar meaning.

it has the ring of

Uses a metaphoric expression with "ring" to suggest the authenticity or plausibility of something.

it smacks of

Offers a more informal and potentially negative connotation, implying something is reminiscent of something else.

it bears all the hallmarks of

Indicates something exhibits typical characteristics of something else, suggesting a strong resemblance.

it is suggestive of

Suggests a possible interpretation, implying something hints at a particular quality or condition.

one might gather it's

Introduces a degree of uncertainty and implies deduction based on available information.

it virtually screams

Emphasizes the obviousness of something, employing a more dramatic and emphatic tone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it sounds highly" in a sentence?

Consider alternatives such as "it seems very", "it appears quite", or "it strikes me as very" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it sounds highly" formal or informal?

The phrase "it sounds highly" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing or speech.

What's the difference between "it sounds highly probable" and "it sounds probable"?

Adding "highly" to "it sounds probable" intensifies the degree of likelihood. "It sounds highly probable" suggests a stronger conviction or a greater perceived chance of something being true compared to "it sounds probable".

Can "it sounds highly" be used with negative adjectives?

Yes, "it sounds highly" can be used with negative adjectives. For instance, "it sounds highly improbable" expresses a strong disbelief or doubt about something.