sounded vs sounds

Both "sounded" and "sounds" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Sounded" is the past tense of the verb "sound" and is used to describe something that was heard in the past. "Sounds" is the present tense of the verb "sound" and is used to describe something that is currently audible or perceived.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 983 views

This is correct as the past tense of the verb "sound."

"sounded"

Use "sounded" when referring to something that was heard in the past.

Examples:

The music sounded beautiful last night.
The alarm sounded loudly in the morning.
Her voice sounded familiar to me.
The explosion sounded like thunder.
The doorbell sounded just as I was leaving.

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It sounded convincing when l thought it.
He sounded strange on the phone.
I sounded the trumpet and carried the banner.
And I suppose I sounded like a jealous old man.
It would've even sounded unreal to me.
It sounded like you said boyfriend.
Sure sounded that way to me.
I told you that name sounded familiar.
Bubblegum pop has never sounded so terrifying.
Niila's feedback sounded like coffin nails.
Sorry, you totally sounded like Amanda.
It sounded like a falling body.
But the number sounded great in rehearsal.
Death has never sounded so good.
I believe Mendelssohn never sounded so tender...
Last I heard, sounded like someone torturing kittens.
Commander Saxon said Elliot sounded desperate.
But Morrison sounded drunk and belligerent again.
I thought the name Holly Edwards sounded familiar.
I thought that Golden Harvest sounded familiar.

Alternatives:

was sounding
had sounded
had been sounding
had been sounded
had been sounding

This is correct as the present tense of the verb "sound."

"sounds"

Use "sounds" when describing something that is currently audible or perceived.

Examples:

The music sounds great.
It sounds like a good idea.
The alarm sounds too loud.
Her voice sounds familiar.
The engine sounds strange.

Show examples from the web [+]

Everything you just said sounds terrible.
Dream Metric thing sounds kind of fantastic.
It sounds like a dissonant parting ceremony.
Scoreboard sounds like skateboard in German.
Kind of sounds like the alien from Aliens.
Somehow these sounds represent the word and the concept.
So, the virgin sounds keen.
Robin McKendrick's dad sounds nasty.
That sounds deliberate, not panicked.
Because the fresh air sounds exhilarating.
Oliver Moreton QC just sounds right.
Strange how some way it sounds romantic.
It sounds gross, but possibly delicious.
Actually, it sounds perfectly awful.
The guy sounds depressed, actually.
Spirit walk sounds much safer Than time traveling.
It sounds like a feminine hygiene product.
What happened in Lucca sounds increasingly like genius.
They just go with whatever sounds right.
Natasha, play my favorite sleep sounds.

Alternatives:

is sounding
does sound
is sounded
is being sounded
is being sounded

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sounded vs sounds

"sounded"

"sounds"

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