sounds contradictory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds contradictory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something appears to be in conflict with another idea or statement. For example, "He said that he loves both chocolate and vanilla ice cream, but that doesn't sound contradictory at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It sounds contradictory, and it is.

The New York Times

Solving a deficit crisis by borrowing sounds contradictory.

The New York Times

To speak of post-conflict violence sounds contradictory, but it is not.

University of California, Berkeley

It sounds contradictory, but with an original screenplay I sometimes suffer from options paralysis.

The New York Times

This new relationship has been described as both flirty and brotherly-sisterly, which sounds contradictory – but you do buy it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If that sounds contradictory, Garnett has always come across as a little stranger than the average professional basketball player, and at least that much sharper.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

This might sound contradictory, even for a philosopher.

The Economist

The remarks sound contradictory, but Harman seemed to conceive of memory as an external storage device.

The New Yorker

"New" and "Pabst" sound contradictory, considering that the Pabst name has deep history in Milwaukee, dating to the 19th century.

The Washington Post

You know what she means, but as she set out this case on Wednesday it just sounded contradictory.

The Guardian

While this might sound contradictory, it's really not: research suggests that humility and confidence need to go hand in hand.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sounds contradictory" to introduce an apparent conflict or paradox, prompting further explanation or resolution. It's effective for setting up contrasting ideas.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "sounds contradictory" without explaining why it appears that way. Always follow up with clarifying information or an analysis of the apparent conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds contradictory" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing something as seemingly illogical or inconsistent. Ludwig provides various examples in different contexts demonstrating its ability to point out apparent conflicts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sounds contradictory" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something appears inconsistent or paradoxical. As Ludwig shows, it's widely used in news, academia, and business to highlight apparent conflicts. While effective for introducing contrasting ideas, it's crucial to follow up with explanations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, making it a versatile tool for expressing initial impressions of contradiction across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems inconsistent

Substitutes "sounds" with "seems" and "contradictory" with "inconsistent", highlighting a lack of agreement or logical flow.

implies an inconsistency

Focuses on the implicit nature of the contradiction, suggesting it's not immediately obvious.

appears paradoxical

Replaces "sounds" with "appears" and "contradictory" with "paradoxical", focusing on the seeming absurdity rather than a direct contradiction.

is seemingly at odds

Emphasizes the apparent conflict between two or more things, highlighting their disagreement.

suggests a paradox

Frames the contradiction as a complex paradox, implying a deeper, potentially irresolvable conflict.

strikes one as conflicting

Shifts the perspective to a personal impression of something being in conflict, emphasizing the subjective experience.

presents a conflict

Rephrases the idea as a direct clash or opposition, moving from auditory perception to a state of conflict.

defies logic

Highlights that something doesn't make sense or follow reasonable principles, focusing on the violation of logical expectations.

rings false

Uses a metaphor related to sound, like the original phrase, but suggests something is untrue or deceptive.

doesn't add up

An informal way of saying that something is illogical or inconsistent, implying a lack of coherence.

FAQs

How can I use "sounds contradictory" in a sentence?

Use "sounds contradictory" to introduce a statement that seems inconsistent or paradoxical. For instance, "Saying he enjoys hard work, but also avoids tasks, "sounds contradictory"".

What are some alternatives to saying "sounds contradictory"?

You can use alternatives like "seems inconsistent", "appears paradoxical", or "presents a conflict" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "sounds contradictory" or "seems contradictory"?

"Sounds contradictory" and "seems contradictory" are generally interchangeable in terms of formality. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "sounds contradictory" and "is contradictory"?

"Sounds contradictory" implies an initial impression of conflict, while "is contradictory" asserts that a true, irresolvable conflict exists. The former leaves room for further explanation or reconciliation.