that sounds plausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that sounds plausible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something seems reasonable or believable based on the information provided. Example: "After hearing her explanation, I thought to myself, that sounds plausible, and I began to consider her perspective more seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

On the surface, that sounds plausible.

The New York Times

You can tell the story in a way that sounds plausible.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a sentiment that sounds plausible in speeches and reads well in print.

The Guardian - Opinion

I thought I'd say a word about one particular idea that sounds plausible to some people but is actually quite wrong: banning fractional reserve banking.

The New York Times

Maduro says Trump covets Venezuela's oil – and given last week's US bid to siphon off the state oil company's revenues in the name of democracy, that sounds plausible – but so, too, does Russia, whose extensive Venezuelan interests also include arms sales.

The Guardian

The trick is to identify a fault that sounds plausible but not too embarrassing.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"I was desperate for an explanation that sounded plausible.

The Guardian

But, when I asked sleep experts if that sounded plausible, they dismissed the idea.

The New Yorker

But Woods had an explanation that sounded plausible, particularly for a golfer who had played only nine competitive rounds all year.

The New York Times - Sports

That m.o. is doubly dangerous: it doesn't merely yield few good ideas; it yields bad ideas that sound plausible enough to fool you into working on them," says investor and co-founder of Y Combinator, Paul Graham.

Forbes

That sounded plausible - and the players in white, after all, look German, at least as opposed to the Slavs, Romanians and Hungarians who made up most of Start's opponents - but I couldn't find the newspaper in question.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sounds plausible" when you want to express agreement or acceptance of an idea as potentially true based on the available information. It is suitable for expressing provisional agreement before deeper investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "that sounds plausible" simply as a conversational filler. Always critically assess the information, even if it initially seems believable, to ensure your understanding is based on solid reasoning and evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sounds plausible" functions as an assessment or evaluation of a statement or idea. It indicates that something appears to be believable or likely true based on the available information. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that sounds plausible" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something seems believable or reasonable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to express agreement or tentative endorsement. While "that sounds plausible" is generally neutral, consider alternatives like "that seems reasonable" for slightly more formal situations. Remember to critically evaluate information even when it initially sounds believable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems believable

Replaces 'sounds plausible' with 'seems believable', focusing on the credibility aspect.

that seems likely

Focuses on the probability of something being true.

that appears reasonable

Substitutes 'sounds plausible' with 'appears reasonable', highlighting the logical aspect.

that seems credible

Similar to 'that seems believable', but places more emphasis on the trustworthiness of the information.

that is quite convincing

Indicates a high degree of persuasiveness, suggesting the idea is likely true.

that holds water

An idiomatic expression meaning the explanation is logical and consistent.

that rings true

Suggests the statement aligns with one's sense of what is genuine.

that's a reasonable assumption

Highlights the acceptability of accepting something as fact without proof.

that is conceivable

Indicates the idea is possible, though not necessarily likely.

that checks out

An informal way to say something aligns with known facts or expectations.

FAQs

What does "that sounds plausible" mean?

The phrase "that sounds plausible" means something seems believable or likely to be true based on the information available. It suggests initial agreement but doesn't necessarily imply complete certainty.

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

You can use "that sounds plausible" to respond to a statement or explanation you find potentially true. For example, "Given the evidence, "that sounds plausible", but let's investigate further."

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

You can use alternatives like "that seems reasonable", "that appears credible", or "that seems likely" depending on the context.

Is "that sounds plausible" formal or informal?

"That sounds plausible" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, more formal alternatives like "that appears credible" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.