that sounds exhausting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that sounds exhausting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express empathy or understanding towards someone who is describing a tiring or demanding situation. Example: "After hearing about your long day at work, I can only say that sounds exhausting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If that sounds exhausting, meeting her makes it understandable.

The Guardian

That sounds exhausting.

HuffPost

"These women are saying, 'Look, my secret sauce, or my competitive advantage or my unique valuable resources, will come from the combination of all of the distinctive experiences that I bring". If that sounds exhausting, it is.

Los Angeles Times

Sit around reading Nora Roberts novels and anxiously wondering whether it's time to reapply my SPF 60? Now, that sounds exhausting.

The New York Times

I'm too scared to delve too deeply into dream interpretations, seeing as that would mean I'd have to confront my problems in real life, and that sounds exhausting.

Vice

Well, it is explained, he could have sought her out and spoken to her. "That sounds exhausting," he grimaces.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The last word -- "traditor" ("traitor") -- comes forth in a gulping tone that sounds exhausted and destroyed.

The New York Times - Arts

It is an intimate, vulnerable song, an exhortation to love and peace that sounds exhausted, from beginning to end.

The Guardian - Opinion

If this sounds exhausting, it was.

The New York Times - Travel

If all this sounds exhausting, imagine being the school administrator whose responsibility is stopping kids from acting like kids.

Huffington Post

Sounds exhausting.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sounds exhausting" to express empathy or understanding when someone describes a demanding situation. It acknowledges the effort or difficulty involved.

Common error

Avoid using "that sounds exhausting" in highly formal or professional settings where a more neutral or supportive response is expected. For example, when a colleague tells you they are exhausted due to personal issue, a more appropriate response might be 'I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to support you?'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sounds exhausting" functions as an interjection or a response phrase. It expresses empathy, understanding, or acknowledgement of the effort and energy required in a described situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that sounds exhausting" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for expressing empathy or acknowledgement of a demanding situation. As Ludwig AI highlighted, the phrase is considered correct for usage. While more common in news and media contexts, it also appears in academic settings. When choosing to use it, be aware of the setting’s formality and adjust your response accordingly. Alternatives like "that seems draining" or "that appears grueling" can offer similar sentiments with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems draining

Focuses on the energy depletion associated with the activity.

that appears grueling

Emphasizes the severity and demanding nature of the task.

that looks arduous

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved.

that seems like a lot of work

Directly points out the substantial effort required.

that appears taxing

Stresses the burden and strain imposed by the situation.

that sounds unappealing

Shifts the focus to the lack of desirability or enjoyment.

that seems unpleasant

Highlights the negative or disagreeable aspects.

that looks like a chore

Implies a tedious and unwelcome task.

that seems like a hassle

Emphasizes the inconvenience and trouble involved.

I can't imagine doing that

Expresses disbelief and aversion to the activity.

FAQs

What does "that sounds exhausting" mean?

The phrase "that sounds exhausting" is used to express that something seems very tiring or demanding. It conveys empathy or understanding towards someone who is describing a difficult or energy-consuming situation.

What can I say instead of "that sounds exhausting"?

You can use alternatives like "that seems draining", "that appears grueling", or "that seems like a lot of work" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to say "that sounds exhausting" in a formal setting?

While grammatically correct, "that sounds exhausting" might be too informal for some formal settings. Consider using more neutral or professional responses, such as "that sounds challenging" or "that sounds demanding".

How to use "that sounds exhausting" in a sentence?

You can use "that sounds exhausting" when someone describes a busy schedule or a challenging task. For example, "Hearing about your multiple projects, I can only say "that sounds exhausting"."