Cool MateThat makes sense vs That sounds fair to me
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That makes sense
Top 3,000 (common)
That sounds fair to me
Top 3,000 (common)
| That makes sense | That sounds fair to me | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæt meɪks sEns//🇺🇸 //ðæt meɪks sEns// | 🇬🇧 //ðæt saʊndz fɛə tə mi//🇺🇸 //ðæt saʊndz fɛr tə mi// |
| Meaning | That is understandable. | I agree with that idea. |
| Example | After you explained your reasoning, I thought, 'That makes sense.' | If we split the bill, that sounds fair to me. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | makes sense of something, it makes perfect sense, makes sense to me | sounds fair, sounds reasonable, sounds good |
| Common mistakes | Using it when someone is explaining something illogical., Misusing it when agreeing but not fully understanding., Overusing in formal contexts where clearer communication is needed. | Using it sarcastically when you don't mean it., Confusing with 'that sounds unfair to me'., Not using it when you actually agree. |
| Usage notes | Used in conversations to confirm understanding or agreement. Generally informal but acceptable in professional settings. Avoid in very formal writing. | Use this phrase to show agreement in conversations. It's appropriate in most contexts but less formal for business settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: That makes sense vs That sounds fair to me
What's the difference between That makes sense and That sounds fair to me?
That makes sense: That is understandable. That sounds fair to me: I agree with that idea.
Can you show an example of each?
That makes sense: After you explained your reasoning, I thought, 'That makes sense.' That sounds fair to me: If we split the bill, that sounds fair to me.
Can I use That makes sense and That sounds fair to me interchangeably?
Not always. That makes sense and That sounds fair to me are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.