that sounds real

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that sounds real" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something seems genuine or believable, often in response to a statement or idea. Example: "When she described her experience, I thought to myself, that sounds real."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"If anything is too precise, it sounds like a computer," he said, "so by being purposely uncareful, by being late or lazy, you create something that sounds real".

The New Yorker

That sounds real.

The New York Times - Books

How does that sound?" Leonard, whose only major championship was at the 1997 British Open at Troon, turned his head toward the man and said, "That sounds real good to me".

The New York Times - Sports

A water management spokesman, Gary Litherland, told the Guardian that Chicago asked its own employees to test their water because: "It was easier to train your own personnel than bring in people, because you're basically asking somebody to sit and not use their water overnight, and that sounds real easy in the beginning until you actually try to do it".

The Guardian

"There'll always be somebody that says, 'Ooh, that sounds real Prince-like, you know what I'm saying?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I wanted to do a show about fathers and sons that sounded real".

The New York Times - Arts

They say he has a particular knack for coming up with words that sound real, but aren't always in the dictionary.

The New York Times

It also includes some childhood memories that sound real.

The New York Times - Arts

The marriage of computers and music has spawned digital instruments that sound "real," an interface-the musical-instrument digital interface-that's now an industry mainstay, and composition software that helps generate ideas, assemble phrases, and analyze existing works.

MIT Technology Review

What follows is an insightful, humane study of relationships between siblings and between men and women, with improvised dialogue that sounds like real speech, only funnier.

Independent

Mr. Gale's specific gift was wrapping nonsense in enough legalese that it sounded real.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sounds real" when you want to express agreement or understanding, indicating that something aligns with your perception of reality or truth. For example, "His explanation for the delay sounds real, given the circumstances."

Common error

Avoid using "that sounds real" in highly formal or professional settings where more sophisticated language might be expected. Alternatives like "that seems plausible" or "that appears credible" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sounds real" functions as an expression of agreement or acknowledgment, indicating that a statement or situation seems genuine or believable to the speaker. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that sounds real" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey that something seems genuine or believable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in extremely formal settings, opting for synonyms like "that seems plausible" or "that appears credible" instead. Remember, choosing the right phrase depends on the situation and your desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that sounds authentic

Emphasizes genuineness and originality.

that sounds genuine

Highlights sincerity and honesty.

that sounds plausible

Indicates that something is believable and likely.

that sounds credible

Stresses the trustworthiness and reliability.

that sounds convincing

Focuses on the ability to persuade or cause belief.

that sounds realistic

Implies that something closely resembles reality.

that seems true

Directly suggests the statement appears to be factual.

that rings true

Indicates a sense of resonance with one's own understanding or experience.

that checks out

Suggests verification or confirmation of a statement.

that holds up

Implies something remains valid or consistent under scrutiny.

FAQs

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

You can use "that sounds real" to express that something seems genuine or believable. For example, "When she described her childhood memories, I thought, "that sounds real."

What are some alternatives to "that sounds real"?

Alternatives to "that sounds real" include "that sounds authentic", "that sounds genuine", or "that sounds plausible", depending on the context.

Is "that sounds real" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that sounds real" may be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "that seems credible" or "that appears valid" in those situations.

What's the difference between "that sounds real" and "that sounds realistic"?

"That sounds real" suggests something is genuine or authentic, while "that sounds realistic" implies something closely resembles reality. The former focuses on truthfulness, and the latter on resemblance.