sounds opaque

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds opaque" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unclear, difficult to understand, or lacking transparency, often in the context of communication or explanations. Example: "The explanation he provided sounds opaque, making it hard for anyone to grasp the main idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If it sounds opaque, that's because it is.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

An increment was defined as a surface that, at baseline, was either unerupted, sound, opaque, hypoplastic or precavitated and that, at follow-up, was either missing as a result of caries, filled, arrested or cavitated.

Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology

Contingency tables were created between paired surface-specific diagnoses, dichotomized to signify presence of caries experience (missing as a result of caries, filled, arrested or cavitated) or absence of caries experience (sound, opaque, hypoplastic or precavitated).

Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology

A decrement was defined as a surface that, at baseline, was missing as a result of caries, filled, arrested or cavitated and that, at follow-up, was either sound, opaque, hypoplastic or precavitated.

Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology

Just as nobody maneuvers the clouds to let the sun burst through, so the opening of the symphony, for example, seemed merely -- but magnificently -- to unfold, through dark sounds and opaque harmonic progressions that were moving themselves around to create an opening for sudden woodwind brightness.

The New York Times - Arts

When Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah, asked him whether he would still defend a position he took in an op-ed in which he wrote that in-person voter fraud was "imaginary," he sounded purposefully opaque.

The New York Times

Ms. Kleinhans may have sounded somewhat opaque about what she looks for in the theater, but what she avoids was crystal clear: "We don't do Shakespeare in any way, shape or form of any kind, ever," she said.

The New York Times

This step seems sound (does not lead us into error) and may be sound; but its soundness is opaque.

SEP

In the interim, the quartet have attained near-mythic status: the influence of their noisy, opaque sound over everything from indie to hip-hop in 2012 is obvious.

The Guardian - Music

For fairly long stretches, there was little or no communication between the submersible and the boat, and at times there was only the eerily opaque sound of Deep Rover's pinger.

The New Yorker

The couples will be shielded from view in an opaque, sound-proof room attached to a studio, and will emerge to discuss their experiences immediately afterwards with a panel of sex experts The aim of the show is to promote honest and open discussion around "real sex" in light of the explosion of online porn.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sounds opaque", ensure the context makes it clear what is being described as unclear or difficult to understand. Be specific about the source or reason for the lack of clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "sounds opaque" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes come across as informal or subjective. Opt for more precise and objective language to describe a lack of clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds opaque" functions as a subjective assessment, where "sounds" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "opaque". It expresses an impression or perception of something lacking clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sounds opaque" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something that seems unclear or difficult to understand. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is often used to express a subjective assessment of a lack of transparency. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to consider the context and choose more precise language for formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "seems unclear" or "appears ambiguous" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "sounds opaque" to convey a lack of clarity in a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems unclear

Replaces "sounds" with "seems", focusing on the apparent lack of clarity.

appears ambiguous

Substitutes "opaque" with "ambiguous", highlighting the multiple possible interpretations.

seems vague

Replaces "opaque" with "vague", emphasizing the lack of precision or detail.

rings hollow

Uses a metaphor to suggest a lack of sincerity or substance.

lacks transparency

Focuses directly on the absence of transparency or openness.

is difficult to understand

Explicitly states the difficulty in comprehending something.

is not clear

A simple and direct way of saying that something is not easily understood.

seems convoluted

Indicates that something is unnecessarily complex and difficult to follow.

is shrouded in mystery

Emphasizes the enigmatic and hidden nature of something.

has a questionable ring to it

Suggests that something seems doubtful or suspicious.

FAQs

What does "sounds opaque" mean?

The phrase "sounds opaque" means something seems unclear, difficult to understand, or lacking in transparency. It suggests that the information presented is not easily accessible or comprehensible.

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

You can use "sounds opaque" to describe explanations, arguments, or policies that are difficult to grasp. For example: "The company's privacy policy "sounds opaque", making it hard to know how our data is being used."

What are some alternatives to "sounds opaque"?

Alternatives to "sounds opaque" include "seems unclear", "appears ambiguous", or "is difficult to understand". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sounds opaque" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "sounds opaque" may be perceived as somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise and objective language, such as "lacks clarity" or "is not transparent", to maintain a professional tone.