rings true

USAGE SUMMARY

"rings true" is a perfectly correct phrase to use in written English and it is quite commonly used, too.
It is usually used when someone is trying to emphasize that a statement feels authentic or reliable. For example: "When my grandpa told me the story of his childhood, it just really rang true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This prediction rings true.

The Economist

This rings true.

The New York Times - Books

That actually rings true.

The New York Times

And that rings true.

The Guardian

It rings true.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Her art rings true.

The New York Times

All this rings true.

The Guardian - Books

The book rings true.

The New York Times - Books

The dialogue rings true.

The New York Times

Sadly, it rings true.

The Guardian - Business

Yet the ending rings true.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rings true" to emphasize that a statement or observation feels authentic or aligns with your experience.

Common error

While "rings true" is acceptable in many contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "seems credible" or "appears legitimate" in academic or professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rings true" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something seems genuine, authentic, or believable. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rings true" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that something feels authentic or believable. Ludwig AI indicates that it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral, a more formal tone might be preferable in academic or professional writing. Alternatives like "sounds plausible" or "feels authentic" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Use "rings true" when you want to convey that a statement or observation aligns with your own experiences and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Has the ring of truth

Variant using "ring" to suggest authenticity.

Feels authentic

Focuses on the genuine quality of something.

Seems legitimate

Indicates an appearance of genuineness and validity.

Sounds plausible

Focuses on the believability of something.

Appears credible

Highlights the believability based on available evidence.

Resonates with reality

Emphasizes the alignment with actual circumstances.

Bears the hallmark of truth

Highlights an element of truth present in a situation.

Strikes a chord

Highlights the emotional or intuitive connection.

Seems veridical

Highlights the truthfulness of something in formal register.

Is spot on

Highlights the accuracy of something.

FAQs

How can I use "rings true" in a sentence?

You can use "rings true" to express that something feels authentic, genuine, or aligns with your own experiences. For example, "Her explanation of the events "rings true" to me."

What are some alternatives to "rings true"?

Alternatives include "sounds plausible", "seems legitimate", and "feels authentic". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rings true" a formal or informal expression?

"Rings true" is generally considered an informal expression. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives like "appears credible" or "seems veridical" might be preferable in academic or professional settings.

What does it mean when something "rings true"?

When something "rings true", it means that it feels authentic, genuine, or believable. It resonates with your own experiences or understanding of the world.