it sounds terrifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it sounds terrifying" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, object, or idea that evokes fear, anxiety, or unease. It is often used in a neutral or objective tone to convey the idea that the speaker or writer perceives the subject as frightening, without directly expressing their own emotions. Example: "The sound of thunder and the sight of lightning flashing in the sky sounded terrifying to the small child who had never experienced a storm before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Where else would you want to be but in Durban come kick-off time on Saturday?" To the non-combatant it sounds terrifying.

The Guardian - Sport

It sounds terrifying but other experts have argued it's all just a storm in a test-tube.

Independent

It sounds terrifying but Ryan says she was too young to take it all in.

The Guardian

It sounds terrifying but, in fact, it soothed him, the melancholy he had felt at the sight of a fallen bough swiftly replaced with a sense of "what felt like the beginning of something new".

The Guardian - Books

If it sounds terrifying, that's because it is.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It turned out to be nothing more than eggs hurled at our front windows, but it sounded terrifying and we all jumped under the table.

The New Yorker

So when I received an invitation to the launch of the new cable car cabins at Tignes Grande Motte, Savoie, I had to reread it to be sure I had understood it correctly: "Boasting the world's largest cable car roof terrace". It sounded terrifying.

The Guardian - Travel

But it still sounds terrifying.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Or maybe it just sounds terrifying.

TechCrunch

In DC, it's 96 degrees, which sounds terrifying – especially to us Europeans who think in centigrade rather than fahrenheit.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Locations programmed into this early version include a scenic hillside, a villa by the beach, and a virtual "black hole" (which sounds terrifying rather than relaxing, but maybe it's an Interstellar cash in?) and it also acts as a movie theater for Runtastic training videos featuring exercise demonstrations.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it sounds terrifying" when you want to objectively describe something as frightening without necessarily expressing your own fear. For personal experiences of terror, consider phrases like "I find it terrifying".

Common error

Avoid using "it sounds terrifying" when you actually mean "I am terrified." The former is a description, while the latter is a personal feeling. Clarify who is experiencing the terror to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it sounds terrifying" primarily functions as a subjective assessment or description. It qualifies a preceding subject by expressing that the subject has qualities that evoke terror. Ludwig AI indicates it is correctly and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it sounds terrifying" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe something that seems frightening or alarming. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its function as a subjective assessment. While the phrase itself is considered neutral in register and frequently used in News & Media, its intensity can be adjusted with alternative phrases like "it seems daunting" or "it appears scary". A key writing tip is to use "it sounds terrifying" to objectively describe something rather than expressing personal fear. Avoiding this mistake ensures clarity and enhances your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems frightening

Replaces "sounds" with "seems" and "terrifying" with "frightening", slightly altering the emphasis.

it appears scary

Substitutes "sounds" with "appears" and "terrifying" with "scary", offering a more direct expression of fear.

it feels alarming

Changes "sounds" to "feels" and "terrifying" to "alarming", focusing on the emotional impact.

it gives a sense of dread

Uses a more descriptive expression to convey the feeling of terror or apprehension.

it evokes fear

Employs a more formal tone, highlighting the fear-inducing quality of the subject.

it's enough to make one shudder

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest that the subject is frightening.

it's rather unnerving

Emphasizes the disturbing or unsettling quality of the subject, softening the intensity of "terrifying".

it makes me anxious

Shifts the focus to the speaker's emotional state, highlighting the anxiety induced by the subject.

the prospect is daunting

Focuses on the future event or situation, describing it as intimidating or overwhelming.

the very idea is chilling

Highlights the disturbing and frightening quality of the idea itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "it sounds terrifying" to describe something that seems frightening or alarming. For example, "The proposal to cut funding for public schools sounds terrifying".

What's a less intense way to say "it sounds terrifying"?

You could say "it seems daunting" or "it appears scary" if you want to express a milder level of concern or apprehension.

Is it correct to say "that sounds terrifying" instead of "it sounds terrifying"?

Yes, "that sounds terrifying" is also correct and commonly used. The choice between "it" and "that" depends on the specific context and what you are referring to.

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

"It sounds terrifying" implies that something seems frightening based on available information, while "it is terrifying" expresses a direct assessment of something being frightening.