sounds they like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds they like" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a meaning related to preferences in sound or music, but it lacks clarity and grammatical structure. Example: "I want to know what sounds they like to help create a playlist for the party."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although La Ley is a painfully earnest band aspiring to be Chile's answer to U2, the other bands on the bill are funnier and more reckless in their willingness to toss together any sounds they like.

The New York Times

They settle on a creative misspelling, add a word or just string together sounds they like.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Do they sound like they like them?

The New York Times - Health

"They come because they like good sound".

The New York Times

If they sound like they want serious dedication, sound very dedicated.

WikiHow

These albums sound spectacular — they sound like you've never heard them before.

Wikipedia

"They sounded like they were going to help me out.

The New York Times

"They sounded like they came from outside, near the entrance.

The New York Times

They sound like they want to kill white people.

The Guardian

They sounded like they were coming from a machine gun.

The New York Times

They sound like they're in a fighting mood.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sound preferences, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "sounds that they enjoy" or "music they prefer" to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "sounds they like" because it lacks proper grammatical structure. Instead, ensure the sentence has a clear subject and verb agreement, such as "the sounds that they like."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds they like", while not grammatically sound, attempts to function as a noun phrase identifying specific audio preferences. Ludwig indicates this usage is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sounds they like" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in formal writing. Ludwig flags this phrase as non-standard English. While it appears in some online content, including news articles and wikis, it's advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "sounds that they enjoy" or "music they prefer" to ensure clarity and professionalism. Using correct grammar enhances the credibility and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sounds that they enjoy

Replaces "like" with the synonym "enjoy" to improve grammatical correctness.

music they prefer

Substitutes "sounds" with "music" and "like" with "prefer" for enhanced clarity and grammatical structure.

sounds they are fond of

Uses "are fond of" instead of "like" to provide a more formal and grammatically sound alternative.

sounds that appeal to them

Rephrases to focus on the appeal of the sounds, offering a different perspective.

sounds they are drawn to

Emphasizes attraction to certain sounds, changing the focus slightly.

sounds that resonate with them

Highlights the emotional or personal connection to specific sounds.

their preferred sounds

Uses a possessive adjective to directly indicate preferred sounds.

sounds that delight them

Replaces "like" with "delight" to indicate a stronger positive reaction.

the sounds they favor

Uses "favor" as a more formal alternative to "like."

sounds they appreciate

Emphasizes a sense of value or recognition for certain sounds.

FAQs

How can I correctly express preferences for sounds?

Instead of saying "sounds they like", use phrases like "sounds that they enjoy", "music they prefer", or "sounds that appeal to them" for grammatical accuracy.

What's a more formal way to say "sounds they like"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "sounds they are fond of" or "the sounds they favor" instead of "sounds they like".

Is "sounds they like" grammatically correct?

No, "sounds they like" is grammatically incorrect. A correct phrasing would be "sounds that they like" or "sounds they enjoy". Consider using "sounds that they enjoy".

What are some alternatives to "sounds they like" when describing musical tastes?

When discussing musical tastes, try using "music they prefer" or "their preferred sounds". These alternatives are clearer and grammatically sound compared to "sounds they like". Consider using "music they prefer".