that sounds implausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that sounds implausible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about a statement or idea that seems unlikely or hard to believe. Example: "When he claimed he could run a marathon without any training, I thought to myself, that sounds implausible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That sounds implausible.

The Economist

A new way forward Clearer, but less cuddly Buy high, sell low Zombie democracy ReprintsThe case for QompromiseGiven the country's obvious weaknesses, that sounds implausible.

The Economist

If that sounds implausible — as it did to me — then check the handy interactive tool that the Times Web site posted after the conventions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That sounded implausible to De Beers, particularly since Winspear based the new projections on drilling information not disclosed in a prospectus to shareholders a month earlier.

The New York Times

That, frankly, sounds implausible, but if it is a myth, it was widespread, and was being propagated by the following day's newspapers.

The Guardian - Sport

It sounds implausible, but the startup claims that its software measures the full conversion funnel from a status update on Facebook to the purchase on advertiser's website.

TechCrunch

If that means being portrayed as a Nazi, so be it; the alternative is to let Greek politicians think they are immune because the euro zone will never let them collapse.Still, Mr Schäuble's claim that the euro zone is ready for a Greek default sounds implausible.

The Economist

Granted, such a draconian measure sounds implausible, especially considering the fierce pro-gun lobby that pulls together at times like these, barricading itself behind defensive and inflammatory rhetoric.

Huffington Post

It sounds implausible, but only four months ago so did the idea that McCain and Obama would be the front-runners.

The New Yorker

Now an alternative has been proposed: why not ask communities and individuals to pay for installation themselves?The idea that homeowners might be willing to pay a few thousand dollars for a cable sounds implausible.

The Economist

It sounds implausible, I know; surely the least we can ask of our therapists is that they should fail utterly to soothe the neuroses of their own relations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sounds implausible" when you want to express polite skepticism without being confrontational. It softens the disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "that sounds implausible" repeatedly in a single conversation or piece of writing, as it can come across as dismissive or condescending. Vary your expressions of doubt with alternatives like "that seems unlikely" or "I doubt that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sounds implausible" functions as an evaluative statement expressing doubt or disbelief. It's a subjective assessment of the likelihood or credibility of a previous statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that sounds implausible" is a versatile phrase used to express doubt or skepticism about a statement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and acceptable for use in written English. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's important to be mindful of overuse and to vary your expressions of doubt to avoid sounding dismissive. Consider alternative phrases like "that seems unlikely" or "that's hard to believe" for a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems unlikely

Focuses on the probability of the statement being true, rather than the sound of it.

that's hard to believe

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting the information as true.

that's questionable

Highlights the uncertainty and doubt surrounding the statement.

that's dubious

Indicates a strong suspicion of falsehood or deception.

i doubt that

Expresses personal doubt directly.

that rings false

Suggests the statement doesn't sound genuine or authentic.

that's a stretch

Implies the statement is an exaggeration or unlikely to be true.

that's a tall tale

Indicates the statement is probably made up or greatly embellished.

i find that hard to swallow

A more colorful way of saying it's difficult to believe.

that doesn't hold water

Suggests the statement is flawed or doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

FAQs

How can I use "that sounds implausible" in a sentence?

Use "that sounds implausible" when you want to express doubt about something that seems unlikely or hard to believe. For example: "He claimed he could finish the project in a day; "that sounds implausible"."

What's a less formal way to say "that sounds implausible"?

Less formal alternatives include "that seems unlikely", "that's hard to believe", or simply "I doubt it."

What does "that sounds implausible" imply?

It implies that you find a statement difficult to believe or accept because it seems unlikely or unrealistic. It's a polite way of expressing skepticism.

Is "that sounds implausible" the same as saying "that's impossible"?

No, "that sounds implausible" suggests something is unlikely but not necessarily impossible, while "that's impossible" indicates something cannot happen at all.