sounds okay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds okay" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is acceptable or satisfactory, but not necessarily perfect or exceptional. Example: "I'm not sure if this plan will work, but it sounds okay to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Sounds okay — except for the fees.

The Washington Post

(Before you sign up, consider whether it's a good match for your dog: Is the dog used to city sounds? Okay with other dogs?) Fridays at noon, $45 for one dog and one human, $15 for each additional human.

The Washington Post

This stuff sounds okay, but it's standard.

TechCrunch

As smart speakers go, this is a great-looking speaker, assuming it sounds okay.

Forbes

The phone sounds okay, but it can be slightly annoying to dial numbers that aren't in your address book.

Forbes

Now you might think that asking for consent sounds okay on the surface.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Most likely to: Sound okay on your computer.

The Guardian - Music

At a moderately loud volume, the music and spoken words sounded okay, if a bit scratchy.

MIT Technology Review

Does that sound okay?

Forbes

It sounded okay to people I called, but was annoyingly staticky on my end.

Forbes

The files you get sound okay, even though they're much more compressed than the Windows Media versions that your $2.50 also entitles you to download from a Sprint site and play on your PC.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for more formal tone consider using alternatives like "seems acceptable" or "appears satisfactory" instead.

Common error

While "sounds okay" is perfectly acceptable in informal conversations, it might come across as too casual in professional emails or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "seems reasonable" or "appears satisfactory" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds okay" primarily functions as an interjection or response, indicating agreement or acceptance with a proposal, plan, or suggestion. As shown by Ludwig, it expresses a moderate level of enthusiasm or approval, implying that something is acceptable but not necessarily exceptional.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sounds okay" is a commonly used expression to convey a moderate level of agreement or acceptance. As demonstrated by the examples Ludwig provides, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, including news, media, and informal conversations. While it may be suitable for many situations, it's important to consider the context and audience, as it may be perceived as too casual in more formal settings. In such instances, opting for alternative phrases like "seems acceptable" or "appears satisfactory" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's all right

Conveys a sense of something being adequate but not exceptional.

that works for me

Expresses personal agreement or satisfaction with a plan or suggestion.

that's agreeable

Indicates a mutual agreement or willingness to comply.

I'm fine with that

Highlights personal consent or acceptance of something.

seems acceptable

Implies a level of formal assessment and agreement.

I have no objections

Formally expresses agreement or lack of opposition to something.

seems good enough

Suggests that something meets the minimum necessary standards.

appears satisfactory

Suggests that something meets the minimum requirements or expectations.

that's fair enough

Expresses acceptance or understanding of something, even if not ideal.

that'll do

Implies that something is sufficient for a particular purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "sounds okay" to express agreement or acceptance, like in "The plan sounds okay to me, let's proceed" or "If that arrangement sounds okay with you, we can finalize the details".

What's a more formal alternative to "sounds okay"?

For more formal situations, you could use phrases like "seems acceptable", "appears satisfactory", or "seems reasonable".

Is "sounds okay" appropriate for professional communication?

While not incorrect, "sounds okay" can be perceived as casual. Consider using alternatives that convey more certainty or formality, especially when communicating with superiors or in formal business contexts.

What does "sounds okay" imply about my level of enthusiasm?

"Sounds okay" generally implies a moderate level of agreement or acceptance. If you want to express stronger enthusiasm, you might say "sounds great", "sounds perfect", or "sounds excellent".