that sounds sensible

USAGE SUMMARY

"that sounds sensible" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you're agreeing with someone's opinion or idea in a polite manner. For example, "I think we should invest in new company headquarters - that sounds sensible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A regulation that sounds sensible today can end up having nasty unintended consequences.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's an appealingly simple argument that sounds sensible while also absolving the gun lobby and its supporters of any blame.

The Washington Post

That sounds sensible, obvious even.

The Economist

That sounds sensible enough.

The New York Times

That sounds sensible; the current regime is very complicated.

Independent

Yeah, drop out, Sharon, move away, sing, that sounds sensible.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

And that sounded sensible to me.

The Guardian - Sport

And when he told Cunliffe that he needed to buy the rights to his creation before he could sink all this money into the production, Cunliffe thought that sounded sensible enough.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

J. Scott Peterson, a spokesman for the trade association, said, that when the 90-day task force recommended that all plants have batteries that would last eight hours, that sounded sensible, and he noted that its call for plant inspections to determine vulnerability to earthquakes had already been completed, he said.

The New York Times

That sounded sensible to me.

The New Yorker

That sounded sensible.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sounds sensible" when you want to express agreement in a polite and thoughtful manner, acknowledging the validity of the idea while maintaining a neutral tone.

Common error

While "that sounds sensible" is generally acceptable, it can come across as slightly formal or detached in very casual conversations. Consider using more informal alternatives like "makes sense" or "sounds good" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sounds sensible" functions as an interjection expressing agreement or approval. Ludwig AI explains the expression as perfectly valid in written English for agreeing with an opinion in a polite way.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that sounds sensible" is a commonly used phrase to express agreement with an idea, plan, or suggestion. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a perfectly valid phrase in written English. It is considered grammatically correct and is frequently found in news, media, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality needed for the specific situation. Alternatives like "that seems reasonable" or "that makes sense" can be useful in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems reasonable

Changes "sounds" to "seems" and "sensible" to "reasonable", offering a slightly different nuance.

that appears logical

Replaces "sounds" with "appears" and "sensible" with "logical", emphasizing the rational aspect.

that makes sense

Offers a more concise and informal way to express agreement.

that's a good idea

Shifts the focus to the quality of the idea rather than its sensibility.

that seems like a plan

Suggests agreement with a proposed plan of action.

that's a smart move

Highlights the intelligence behind a decision or action.

that's a valid point

Acknowledges the correctness and relevance of an argument.

I agree with that

A direct statement of agreement, less focused on the inherent quality of the idea.

that resonates with me

Indicates that the idea aligns with one's own thoughts or feelings.

that is a practical approach

Emphasizes the feasibility and utility of the proposed method.

FAQs

What does "that sounds sensible" mean?

It means that something appears to be logical, reasonable, or practical. It indicates agreement or approval of a suggestion or idea.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "that sounds sensible"?

It's appropriate in situations where you want to express agreement in a polite and thoughtful manner, particularly in professional or semi-formal settings. In casual conversations, consider alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "that sounds sensible"?

You can use alternatives like "that seems reasonable", "that makes sense", or "that appears logical" depending on the specific context.

Is "that sounds sensible" formal or informal?

It's generally considered to be neutral to slightly formal. It is more formal than phrases like "sounds good" or "makes sense", but less formal than more technical or academic language.