"sounds" vs "sounded"

Question

"sounds" vs "sounded"

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

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.

Alternatives:

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

Alternatives:

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

Answer 1

sounds

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

Answer 2

sounded

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

"sounds" vs "sounded"

sounds

sounded

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