sounds very worrying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds very worrying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing concern or anxiety about a situation or information that has been presented. Example: "After hearing the latest report on climate change, it sounds very worrying that we may not meet our targets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It all sounds very worrying.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It all sounds very worrying, and no doubt the rising tide of elite Tory opposition to Britain's decarbonisation policies will be noted in both Downing Street and by ministers at the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

My mother sounded very worried.

Huffington Post

That sounds very noble.

The New York Times

"That sounds very nice".

Independent

It sounds very wholesome.

Independent

"It sounds very personal".

The New York Times

That sounds very meditative.

The New York Times

Sounds very promising.

The Guardian

It sounds very tacky.

The New Yorker

It sounds very Obama '08.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sounds very worrying", consider the specific emotion you want to convey. Choose a stronger adjective if you want to emphasize the intensity of the concern. Alternatives such as "alarming" or "distressing" might be more appropriate in certain contexts.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "sounds". Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "appears", "seems", or "indicates" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds very worrying" functions as a subjective assessment expressing concern or unease based on information received. It connects an auditory perception ("sounds") with an emotional evaluation ("very worrying"). Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sounds very worrying" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey concern based on auditory information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, showing the phrase is often found in news and media contexts. While acceptable, it's essential to consider stronger adjectives or more formal synonyms like "alarming" or "concerning" for emphasis or specialized contexts. Be mindful of overusing "sounds" and vary sentence structure for engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems deeply concerning

Replaces "sounds" with "seems" and intensifies "worrying" with "deeply concerning", emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

appears quite troubling

Replaces "sounds" with "appears" and "worrying" with "troubling", shifting from auditory perception to visual assessment of a concerning situation. It softens the expression a little.

is quite alarming

Focuses directly on the alarming nature of something, avoiding auditory perception.

is genuinely unsettling

Emphasizes the disturbing or disquieting nature of the situation.

is a cause for concern

Identifies something as a specific reason to be worried, slightly more detached.

raises significant fears

Highlights the creation of fear, focusing on the emotional impact.

gives cause for alarm

Uses a more formal and emphatic construction, highlighting that something is creating worry or fear.

indicates a worrying trend

Highlights the presence of a concerning pattern or development.

presents a grim picture

Shifts the focus to a negative or depressing outlook, using a visual metaphor.

portends a bleak outlook

Suggests a pessimistic future or outcome, using a more literary term.

FAQs

How can I use "sounds very worrying" in a sentence?

You can use "sounds very worrying" to express concern about something you've heard or learned. For example: "The latest economic forecast "sounds very worrying", given the current global instability."

What are some alternatives to "sounds very worrying"?

Alternatives include "seems very concerning", "appears quite troubling", or "is quite alarming", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sounds very worrying" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in formal writing, consider using more precise and nuanced alternatives that directly address the specific concern. Phrases like "raises significant concerns" or "indicates a worrying trend" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "sounds very worrying" and "is very worrying"?

"Sounds very worrying" implies that the concern is based on information you've heard or perceived, while "is very worrying" suggests that the situation itself is inherently concerning, regardless of your personal perception.