it sounds large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it sounds large" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that appears to be significant in size or magnitude, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "When I heard the budget proposal, it sounds large compared to last year's figures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While it sounds large, many of the subscriptions are not yet paid for.

The New York Times

Of course, CNN described black CEOs as "rare," but the WSJ's use of the word "numerous" is brilliant because it sounds large but can mean anything.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The difference between the polls number and the polls-plus-fundamentals number sounds large when it is expressed in probabilities.

The New Yorker

A mere 16,900 working days were lost in the quarter – a figure that sounds large, but it works out at just 1.6 days for every 1,000 employees.

The Guardian - Business

A data set of 236 comparisons sounds large and inspires confidence.

The New York Times - Food

This sounds large, but that six billion is the total number of transactions — that is, the number of interactions between the buyer and the seller — rather than the ad impressions it is serving, a much lower number.

The New York Times

It sounds a large army, but I have known roosts in Cheshire, Derbyshire, and North Wales which were probably quite as crowded.

The Guardian

If you're married, there is a one in five chance you're considering a split (according to a survey by legal firm Irwin Mitchell); it sounds improbably large, but there it is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stereo Review said that "the band sounds larger than life, producing a towering inferno of roaring guitars, monumental bass and drums, and from-the-gut vocals".

Wikipedia

Although $1.6 billion might sound large, it is small in comparison to the companies' overall revenues.

The New York Times

That may sound large, but it's actually quite small.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sounds large" when you want to convey that something gives the impression of being significant in size, scope, or impact, even if the actual dimensions or quantities are not explicitly known or are potentially misleading.

Common error

Avoid using "it sounds large" as a standalone statement without providing context or comparison. Without further explanation, the statement can be vague and unconvincing. Always follow up with details that support why it gives that impression, especially if the reality is different.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sounds large" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing an initial impression about the size or magnitude of something based on available information. This initial impression may or may not be accurate, and Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it sounds large" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys an initial impression of size or significance. Ludwig confirms this assessment. While frequently used in News & Media, it's essential to provide context to clarify whether the impression aligns with reality. Alternatives like "it seems significant" can be used to slightly alter the nuance. By following these guidelines, you can use "it sounds large" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems significant

Changes 'sounds' to 'seems' and 'large' to 'significant', altering the emphasis from auditory impression to overall importance.

it appears substantial

Replaces 'sounds' with 'appears' and 'large' with 'substantial', shifting the focus to visual impression and tangible quantity.

it gives a grand impression

Emphasizes the impressive or imposing nature of something rather than its literal size.

it creates an illusion of magnitude

Highlights that the size might be deceptive or exaggerated.

it's seemingly considerable

Expresses that something appears to be worth of consideration given its size.

it conveys a sense of enormity

Focuses on the feeling of immense size or scale that something evokes.

it projects a large image

Implies that the size is being actively presented or promoted.

it has a weighty feel

Relates the impression of size to a sense of importance or consequence.

it suggests considerable scale

Focuses on the measurement size of the thing involved.

it implies great importance

Shifts the meaning from physical size to conceptual significance.

FAQs

How can I use "it sounds large" in a sentence?

You can use "it sounds large" to describe something that gives the impression of being significant in size or impact, such as "The budget proposal sounds large, but it's actually only a small increase."

What can I say instead of "it sounds large"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems significant", "it appears substantial", or "it gives a grand impression" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it sounds large"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey the impression of something being significant, even if you're not sure about the exact details. It's often used to introduce a statement that might be misleading without further context.

What's the difference between "it sounds large" and "it is large"?

"It sounds large" implies an impression or perception, while "it is large" is a statement of fact. The former suggests that something seems big, while the latter asserts that something is big.