sound convincing

USAGE SUMMARY

'sound convincing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that an argument or statement is persuasive and credible. For example: The politician's speech about the new tax plan sounded convincing, so most of the audience was swayed by his argument.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From a convincing lothario such as Snoop Dogg, such supplications might sound convincing.

The Guardian - Music

He didn't sound convincing.

The New York Times - Sports

Will it sound convincing?

The Guardian

Giambi answered, "No, it's not," but did not sound convincing.

The New York Times - Sports

Sure, a potential juror could lie and sound convincing.

The New York Times

The man promised to help Jama, but did not sound convincing.

The New Yorker

"My little boy doesn't feel the cold," said Stella, unable to make this sound convincing.

The New Yorker

She thought about who she could contact who'd sound convincing and landed on Coombs.

The Guardian

Some of the arguments that pass through his head sound convincing, while others seem suspect.

The Guardian - Books

"I'm still the punter as of now," said Allen, who did not sound convincing.

The New York Times - Sports

"I am sorry, it doesn't meet our threshold," Victoria says firmly, trying to sound convincing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for objectivity, use "sound convincing" to describe arguments or presentations rather than people. This helps avoid direct judgment of character.

Common error

Avoid using "sound convincing" in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "seem believable" or "make sense" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sound convincing" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something (often an argument, explanation, or statement) appears to be believable or persuasive. This is supported by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sound convincing" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that appears believable or persuasive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase applicable across various contexts, with a neutral register. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Wiki and Formal & Business settings. While "sound convincing" is widely used, it's essential to consider the context and audience to ensure appropriate usage, avoiding overuse in informal settings and maintaining objectivity by describing arguments rather than people.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear credible

Focuses on the perception of believability rather than the auditory aspect.

ring true

Emphasizes authenticity and genuineness.

come across as believable

Highlights the impression conveyed to others.

strike a chord of authenticity

Stresses the emotional resonance and genuineness of a statement.

hold water

Indicates the logical consistency and soundness of an argument.

be persuasive

Focuses on the ability to convince someone.

resonate with truth

Emphasizes that something inspires a feeling or impression of being authentic.

carry weight

Suggests that an idea or argument has authority and significance.

have the ring of truth

Emphasizes the auditory impression of something being genuine.

hold up to scrutiny

Emphasizes that something is capable of withstanding testing and is reliable.

FAQs

How can I use "sound convincing" in a sentence?

You can use "sound convincing" to describe something that appears believable or persuasive. For example, "The lawyer's argument didn't "sound convincing" to the jury."

What's a more formal synonym for "sound convincing"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "appear credible" or "ring true" instead of ""sound convincing"".

Is it better to say "sounds convincing" or "sound convincing"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "sounds convincing" with singular subjects (e.g., "His explanation sounds convincing") and ""sound convincing"" with plural subjects (e.g., "Their arguments sound convincing").

What is the difference between "seem convincing" and "sound convincing"?

"Seem convincing" focuses on the general impression of believability, while ""sound convincing"" specifically refers to the auditory impression of believability. Both are often interchangeable, but the latter emphasizes how something is expressed verbally.