“That sounds great” or “It sounds great” – What’s the difference?

The difference between “that sounds great” and “it sounds great” is primarily one of perspective. “It sounds great” is a statement of fact, while “that sounds great” is a statement of opinion.

In the sentence “it sounds great,” the word “it” is used as a pronoun to refer to something that has already been mentioned or is understood in the context of the conversation. For example, if someone is describing a new restaurant they want to try, you might say “it sounds great” to indicate that you agree with their assessment.

On the other hand, “that sounds great” is used to express your opinion about something that is being discussed or proposed. For example, if someone suggests going to the beach for the day, you might say “that sounds great” to indicate that you think it’s a good idea.

Example Sentences

Here are a few more examples to illustrate the difference between the two phrases:

“I’m thinking of taking a trip to Europe this summer. That sounds great!”

• In this sentence, “that” is used to refer to the idea of taking a trip to Europe, which is being proposed by the speaker.

“I just heard about a new Italian restaurant that opened up downtown. It sounds great!”

• In this sentence, “it” is used to refer to the new Italian restaurant that has been mentioned. The speaker is expressing their agreement with the idea that the restaurant is good.

“I’ve been thinking of starting a vegetable garden. That sounds great!”

• In this sentence, “that” is used to refer to the idea of starting a vegetable garden, which is being proposed by the speaker. The listener is expressing their agreement with the idea.

“My friend told me about a great hiking trail nearby. It sounds great!”

• In this sentence, “it” is used to refer to the hiking trail that has been mentioned. The speaker is expressing their agreement with the idea that the trail is good.

Overall, the main difference between “that sounds great” and “it sounds great” is the way they are used in a sentence. “It sounds great” is used to refer to something that has been mentioned, while “that sounds great” is used to express your opinion about something.