soundness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "soundness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the validity, reliability, or robustness of an argument, theory, or system. Example: "The soundness of the research methodology was questioned by several experts in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This manuscript then goes through the usual peer review process, and is assessed on criteria such as the soundness of the methods and analysis, and overall plausibility of the stated hypotheses.

The Guardian

By contrast, the main point of prudential regulation is to maintain the soundness of banks by controlling their capital levels or the investments they can make.

The Economist

Choosing to buy a house, for example, involves a series of bets on land prices, interest rates, taxes, job prospects, future planning decisions in the area selected and the structural soundness of the property concerned.

The Economist

"The world has failed us," he said in a prime-time speech that radio and television stations had to broadcast nationwide.Despite Mr Correa's conviction about the scheme's soundness, critics have long pointed to flaws.

The Economist

So once depositors stop caring about the soundness of their banks, bad banking quickly crowds out good.Enter the regulatorGovernments have long understood this.

The Economist

The Prudential Regulation Authority, which is based at the Bank of England, will "promote the safety and soundness" of financial companies, ensuring that banks do not pose a threat to the wider economy.

The Economist

Its utility will depend on the soundness of the State Department's conviction that if Cuba is squeezed hard enough, Dr Castro will be forced out by his own people.

The Economist

Traders and investors saw the asset-price rises it brought with it as proof of their brilliance; central banks and governments thought that rising markets and higher tax revenues attested to the soundness of their policies.The answer to all problems seemed to be more debt.

The Economist

The FDIC already assesses different deposit premiums on banks depending on their safety and soundness rating.

The Economist

TODAY's recommended economics writing:I'm going to quote Dani Rodrik quoting...you'll see A particularly destabilizing aspect [during the crisis] was the tendency of fears about the soundness of banks and expectations of exchange-rate devaluations to reinforce each other.

The Economist

The evidence, from Chile and elsewhere, is that the extent to which such capital movements are destabilising depends largely on the strength of a country's financial system and the soundness of its economic policies on matters, in other words, that are under the control of governments.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating arguments or systems, use "soundness" to refer to both validity and truth, indicating a comprehensive assessment.

Common error

Avoid overusing "soundness" when simpler terms like "validity" or "reliability" would suffice. "Soundness" implies a holistic evaluation, so reserve it for contexts where multiple aspects are being assessed.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "soundness" is as a noun, often used to describe a state or quality. It functions as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it pertains to being sound, reliable, or valid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "soundness" is a versatile noun indicating the quality of being sound, reliable, or valid. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, lending itself well to evaluations of arguments, systems, or entities. When writing, consider the nuances of "soundness" and whether simpler terms like "validity" or "reliability" might be more appropriate. Use "soundness" when you intend to holistically convey overall validity and robustness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

validity

Focuses on the logical correctness and accuracy of an argument or statement, rather than its overall condition.

reliability

Emphasizes the consistency and dependability of something, particularly in producing expected results.

robustness

Highlights the strength and resilience of something, its ability to withstand stress or change.

integrity

Refers to the completeness and unimpaired condition of something, emphasizing its wholeness.

stability

Indicates the state of being steady and resistant to change or disruption.

security

Highlights the state of being protected from harm or risk.

strength

Focuses on the physical or inherent power of something.

solidity

Emphasizes the firmness and compactness of something, its lack of hollowness.

authenticity

Highlights the genuineness and originality of something, its lack of being fake or imitation.

reasonableness

Indicates that something is fair, practical and sensible.

FAQs

How is "soundness" used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "soundness" often refers to the validity and reliability of research methodologies or theoretical arguments. It implies that not only is the logic correct, but the premises are also true.

What's the difference between "validity" and "soundness"?

"Validity" refers to the logical structure of an argument, while "soundness" requires both validity and true premises. An argument can be valid but not sound if its premises are false.

Which is more important: "soundness" or "reliability"?

The relative importance of "soundness" and "reliability" depends on the context. "Soundness" is crucial for theoretical arguments, ensuring both logical structure and factual accuracy. "Reliability" is more important when assessing the consistency and dependability of measurements or processes.

What are some alternatives to "soundness" in a business context?

In a business context, alternatives to "soundness" might include "solvency", "stability", or "financial health", depending on the specific aspect being emphasized.