it sounds sensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it sounds sensible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing agreement or approval of an idea, suggestion, or plan that appears logical or reasonable. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I must say it sounds sensible to implement the new strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That ultimately means the poorer country manufacturing its own frying pans and computers and pencils". It sounds sensible and obvious, until you take a moment to examine the implications.

The Guardian

It sounds sensible enough.

The New York Times

It sounds sensible, but is he right?

The New York Times

At first hearing it sounds sensible and grown up.

The Guardian - Opinion

If their offer was successful they would be advised around four days prior to departure and the offer payment collected".At first glance, it sounds sensible.

The Economist

Treating all finance as equivalent, while it sounds sensible and certainly works on a spreadsheet, is divesting political decisions of their politics.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

On the face of it, this sounds sensible: it is the front-line staff who actually provide a service to the public the nurses, the teachers, the police officers and so on so surely it makes sense to leave them untouched and get rid of a few surplus desk-jockeys if economies need to be made.

The Economist

While this plea sounds sensible, it actually represents a historic threat to the U.S. government and to some of its most vulnerable citizens.

The Washington Post

If the Uefa president occasionally sounds sensible it is usually because the only point of comparison is Fifa's even more preposterous Sepp Blatter.

The Guardian - Sport

"That's what we're trying to do". On its face, that sounds sensible enough.

HuffPost

Measured disruption sounds sensible, but it doesn't dazzle venture capitalists in the way that Kalanick's ruthless growth strategy evidently did.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sounds sensible" to convey agreement with a proposal, plan, or idea that appears logical and practical. It's suitable for expressing initial approval before a deeper evaluation.

Common error

While "it sounds sensible" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "it appears logical" or "it is a well-reasoned approach" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sounds sensible" functions as an expression of agreement or provisional approval. It indicates that an idea or suggestion appears reasonable at first glance. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it sounds sensible" is a commonly used expression to convey that something appears reasonable or logical. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and general usability. While suitable for various contexts, from news to everyday conversations, more formal settings may benefit from alternative phrases such as "it appears logical" or "that seems reasonable". When using this expression, it's important to consider the audience and context to ensure the tone remains appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that makes sense

A more concise way of expressing agreement that something is logical and understandable.

that seems reasonable

Replaces 'sounds' with 'seems' and 'sensible' with 'reasonable', offering a slightly more formal tone.

that appears logical

Substitutes 'sounds' with 'appears' and 'sensible' with 'logical', emphasizing the rational aspect.

that's a reasonable approach

Focuses on the practicality and justification of the method being suggested.

that seems like a good idea

Rephrases the expression to focus on the merit of the idea rather than its sensibility.

that is well-reasoned

Highlights the strong logical foundation behind the idea or proposal.

that's a plausible suggestion

Replaces 'sounds sensible' with an emphasis on the suggestion being believable or credible.

that's a smart move

Emphasizes the intelligence and strategic advantage of the proposed action.

that's a pragmatic solution

Focuses on the practicality and real-world applicability of the proposed solution.

that is judicious

Highlights the quality of prudence and sound judgment of the concept.

FAQs

What does "it sounds sensible" mean?

The expression "it sounds sensible" means that something appears reasonable, logical, or practical upon initial consideration. It suggests an idea or plan is worthy of further evaluation or approval.

When is it appropriate to use "it sounds sensible" in writing?

Use "it sounds sensible" when you want to express initial agreement or approval of an idea that seems logical. It's suitable for expressing a preliminary assessment before a deeper analysis.

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

You can use alternatives like "that seems reasonable", "that makes sense", or "that appears logical" depending on the context.

Is "it sounds sensible" formal or informal?

The phrase "it sounds sensible" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "it appears logical" or "it is a reasonable proposition".