that sounds right

USAGE SUMMARY

"that sounds right" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it as a way to express agreement to a statement or opinion. For example, "I think we should finish the project by Friday - that sounds right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Ooh that sounds right up my street," says Colman when I tell her the plot.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Richler's great achievement is that she has fashioned for Jem a voice that sounds right in the mouth of a smiley eight-year-old and that of a suicidal 35-year-old.

The Guardian - Books

And Jennifer Dickinson, an anthropologist who provided the pepper-vodka recipe for the column (as well as background information on Ukrainian traditions), came through with a pine-nut preparation that sounds right up my alley: "Place 1 cup untoasted pine nuts in a bottle and fill with vodka.

The New York Times

I think if you find something that sounds right and you feel something and some meaning's conveyed, that's what's important.

Huffington Post

If you're not sure, try it several times until you find a sentence that sounds right to you.

Huffington Post

Occidental College, a liberal arts educational institution located in Los Angeles, Calif., is offering a new course to students that sounds right up our alley.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Or, at least that sounded right.

The New York Times

The sheriff thought that sounded right.

The Guardian - Books

Gutful, wild singing that sounded right.

Huffington Post

Truman said that that sounded right.

The New Yorker

Choose names that sound right.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sounds right" to express agreement or confirmation in both formal and informal settings.

Common error

While "that sounds right" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "that seems accurate" or "that aligns with the findings" in academic or professional documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sounds right" primarily functions as an interjection or a short statement expressing agreement or confirmation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a way to express approval or concurrence. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various conversational settings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that sounds right" is a common and acceptable way to express agreement or confirmation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile enough for many situations, but it is crucial to consider the context. While generally suitable, its use in formal writing should be tempered in favour of more professional alternatives. Ludwig's examples highlight its prevalence in news and media, though it also appears in academic and wiki sources, reflecting its broad applicability. Alternatives such as "that seems accurate" or "that checks out" can provide a more nuanced approach depending on the specific scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems accurate

Replaces 'sounds' with 'seems' and 'right' with 'accurate', focusing on the perceived correctness of information.

that appears correct

Substitutes 'sounds' with 'appears' and 'right' with 'correct', emphasizing a visual or superficial confirmation.

that checks out

Uses a more informal and direct way to express that something is verified or confirmed.

that seems plausible

Replaces 'right' with 'plausible', indicating something appears believable or likely.

that resonates with me

Indicates that something aligns with one's own understanding or beliefs, adding a personal connection.

that aligns with my understanding

Emphasizes agreement based on existing knowledge or comprehension.

I concur with that

A more formal way of expressing agreement.

that corresponds to my knowledge

Highlights that something matches existing information, stressing factual consistency.

that affirms my belief

Indicates that something strengthens or validates a personal belief.

that validates my perspective

Highlights that something confirms a personal viewpoint or opinion.

FAQs

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

You can use "that sounds right" to express agreement or confirmation, for example, "You said the meeting is at 2 PM? That sounds right."

What are some alternatives to "that sounds right"?

You can use alternatives such as "that seems accurate", "that appears correct", or "that checks out" depending on the context.

Is "that sounds right" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "that sounds right" is better suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "that seems plausible" or "that aligns with my understanding".

What does it mean when someone says "that sounds right"?

When someone says "that sounds right", they are indicating that something seems accurate, correct, or in accordance with their understanding. It's a way of expressing agreement or confirmation.