that sounds acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that sounds acceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express agreement or approval of a suggestion or proposal. Example: "After reviewing your plan, I must say that sounds acceptable to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It might also increase the incentive for parties to appeal to the extremes rather than to the middle.To some, that sounds acceptable enough: a touch of extremism, after all, is just one of the prices we pay for democracy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sure it's not the most high quality speaker you can find, but it sounds acceptable considering it's stuck inside such a small device.

TechCrunch

It is therefore acceptable that, under particular circumstances, the genetic program itself is modified, a statement that sounds fairly heretical.

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

While having an uncertified person diving through a tunnel at 45 feet with a dive master may sound acceptable to a nondiver, I know that it was potentially very dangerous.

The New York Times - Travel

His lengthy voicemail greeting sounded acceptable through CallingAmerica — about as good as any other VoIP call I've made.

TechCrunch

"It's just illusory to think that presidents can provide a narrative that can make unemployment sound acceptable," said George C. Edwards, a professor of political science at Texas A & M University and author of "On Deaf Ears: The Limits of the Bully Pulpit".

The New York Times

Next we define the (macroscopic) velocity of such a trajectory as which sounds perfectly acceptable.

SEP

In the Goethe poem on which Brahms's work is based, an embittered soul wanders the desert, eliciting a prayer for his redemption: "If there is on your psaltery, O father of Love, one sound acceptable to his ear, refresh his heart with it".

The New Yorker

MP3s sound acceptable at lower volumes, but cat-scaringly awful when you pump up the jam.

BBC

While some of these sound acceptable, none of these tell you which bank is in which market place for the exact type of loan at any given time.

Huffington Post

Raters are thus continuously challenged to sample performance data; interpret findings; identify and define assessment criteria; and translate private judgments into sound (acceptable) decisions.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sounds acceptable" when you want to express mild agreement or acceptance of a plan or suggestion without being overly enthusiastic. It's suitable for situations where you find the proposal adequate but not necessarily ideal.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "sounds" verbs when clearer alternatives like "is" or "seems" could provide more directness. For example, instead of "that sounds acceptable", consider "that is acceptable" for a more assertive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sounds acceptable" primarily functions as an expression of agreement or mild approval. It indicates that something meets a certain threshold of acceptability, as supported by Ludwig AI which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

29%

Tech

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that sounds acceptable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating mild agreement or approval. As identified by Ludwig, it serves to convey that a suggestion or proposal is adequate without necessarily being ideal. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both professional and informal communication. Alternatives like "that seems reasonable" or "I'm okay with that" can be used depending on the specific nuance and formality required. While the phrase is useful, over-reliance on "sounds" verbs should be avoided in favor of more direct alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems reasonable

Changes the verb from "sounds" to "seems", focusing on the logical aspect of the proposal.

that appears satisfactory

Uses "appears" instead of "sounds" and "satisfactory" instead of "acceptable", suggesting a more formal assessment.

that's agreeable to me

Shifts the focus to the speaker's personal agreement, emphasizing their willingness to accept the proposal.

I find that satisfactory

Similar to "that's agreeable to me", but phrased as a personal assessment of satisfaction.

I'm okay with that

A more informal way of expressing agreement, suitable for casual settings.

that works for me

Focuses on the practicality of the proposal, indicating that it fits the speaker's needs or plans.

that is a good idea

Expresses approval of the idea itself, rather than just agreeing to it.

I concur with that

A more formal way of indicating agreement, often used in professional or academic settings.

that's a yes from me

Directly states agreement, leaving no room for ambiguity.

I approve of that

Expresses a formal approval, suggesting authority or decision-making power.

FAQs

What does "that sounds acceptable" mean?

The phrase "that sounds acceptable" indicates agreement or approval of a suggestion, plan, or idea. It implies that the proposal meets the necessary requirements or conditions, even if it's not necessarily the best possible option.

When is it appropriate to use "that sounds acceptable"?

Use "that sounds acceptable" when you want to express mild agreement without strong enthusiasm. It is suitable in professional or casual settings when you find a proposal adequate but not necessarily ideal. Alternatives include "that seems reasonable" or "I'm okay with that".

What are some alternatives to "that sounds acceptable"?

Alternatives to "that sounds acceptable" include "that seems reasonable", "that appears satisfactory", or "I'm okay with that". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "that sounds acceptable" formal or informal?

"That sounds acceptable" is generally considered neutral in tone. It's neither overly formal nor extremely informal, making it suitable for a wide range of situations. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "I concur with that".