sounds sound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds sound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is both audible and reliable or valid, often in a context discussing ideas or arguments. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I can confidently say that the arguments presented in it sound sound."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It certainly sounds sound.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is only the temporally successive series of sounds: sound waves emanating from the various instruments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All the materials they processed on tape were recorded sounds—sound effects, musical fragments, vocalizings, and other sounds and noises produced by man, his environment, and his artifacts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During this stage, the picture and the sound tracks are edited; special effects, titles, and other optical effects are created; nonsynchronous sounds, sound effects, and music are selected and devised; and all these elements are combined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If this sounds sound absurd, Darling points out that there are precedents from animal cruelty laws.

BBC

He called the song "My Tighty Whiteys" "the most obvious nod to the Pet Sounds sound".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

At the Unisar booth, a salesman demonstrated the Bebe Sounds sound-and-movement monitor, which sounds an alarm if the baby stops moving for longer than 20 seconds.

The New Yorker

Sounds, sounds, sounds, solid sounds, sounds, sounds".

The Guardian - Books

A musician is someone who takes sounds — sounds of a scale or sounds free from a scale — and fuses them with spirit and heart's blood.

The New York Times - Arts

According to dispositional account of sounds, "sounds are dispositions of objects to vibrate in response to being stimulated.

SEP

Image and sound, sound and image.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context is appropriate. The phrase works best when there's an element of initial auditory impression combined with later validation.

Common error

Avoid overusing "sounds sound" when simpler phrases like "seems correct" or "appears valid" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing seem unnatural or forced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds sound" primarily functions as a linking verb + adjective, where "sounds" connects the subject to the adjective "sound", indicating a quality or characteristic. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English to describe something that appears both audible and reliable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sounds sound" is a grammatically correct, though somewhat uncommon, way to express that something seems both audible and valid. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is usable in written English. While alternative phrases like "seems valid" or "rings true" may be more frequently used, "sounds sound" offers a specific nuance, emphasizing both the auditory impression and the underlying reliability. Its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science, rendering it versatile but best employed when its specific connotation is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems valid

Emphasizes the correctness and legitimacy of something.

resonates as valid

Combines the idea of something sounding right with the idea of being factually correct.

rings true

Implies authenticity and genuineness based on how it sounds or feels.

is credible

Indicates the trustworthiness and reliability of something.

has a ring of truth

Similar to "rings true" but perhaps with a more literary or evocative feel.

seems plausible

Focuses on the believability or likelihood of something being true.

appears well-founded

Indicates that something has a solid basis in evidence or reason.

seems legitimate

Suggests that something is in accordance with the law or rules.

appears reasonable

Highlights the logical and sensible nature of something.

appears convincing

Highlights the power of something to persuade or influence belief.

FAQs

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

You can use "sounds sound" to indicate that something seems both audible and reliable or valid. For example: "After reviewing the proposal, I can confidently say that the arguments presented in it "sounds sound"".

What is a good alternative to "sounds sound"?

Alternatives to "sounds sound" include "seems valid", "appears reliable", or "rings true" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "sounds sound" formal or informal?

"Sounds sound" is generally considered neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts where you want to emphasize both audibility and validity.

In what situations is "sounds sound" most appropriate?

"Sounds sound" is most appropriate when you want to emphasize that something not only has an initial plausibility but also holds up under scrutiny. It works well when evaluating arguments or proposals.