a narrative to this effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a narrative to this effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a story or account that conveys a particular meaning or message. Example: "The report included a narrative to this effect, illustrating the challenges faced by the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And yet Republicans have settled on a narrative to this effect, and it goes roughly like this: Democrats came up with a statist solution to our health care woes that the public soundly rejected.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Following Hamilton's conviction, in 1993, he and his lawyers maintained this narrative — to no effect, even after Smith recanted her testimony.

The New Yorker

Two, while it makes for a tidy political narrative to say "Ferguson effect," researchers have not pinned down the underlying mechanisms.

The New York Times

This device breaks up the narrative to good effect as well as allowing us to "take the field" among the players, almost as if we were actually attending games, or reading contemporary accounts.

The Guardian - Books

Here, for example, is Chevron, employing the Africa rising narrative to great effect by suggesting that they are "helping worlds expand".

Vice

There are many small conflicts and psychological undercurrents, but the closest thing to a narrative theme is the effect Andrée has on the Renoir household.

The New York Times

Expect plenty of ricocheting bullet sound effects, whistling and a spoken narrative to keep the stories moving.

The New York Times

The usual sadism and horror braid through the narrative to grotesque and titillating effect.

The New Yorker

What is it that lends a Trollope narrative this reality effect?

Independent

Heidi Julavits's narrative certainly has this effect on the reader in her second novel.

The Guardian - Books

If it's actually a Bojack-light season, that'll be interesting, too, but I suspect it's more of a narrative device employed for effect here.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a narrative to this effect", ensure that the specific details of the narrative are already understood or have been previously established in the context. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clear communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a narrative to this effect" in casual conversation or informal writing. It's better suited for more formal or academic settings where a concise reference to an existing narrative is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a narrative to this effect" functions as a reference to a previously stated or understood account. The word 'narrative' acts as the main subject, with the prepositional phrase 'to this effect' serving to qualify that narrative as being of a particular nature or purpose. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to a story conveying a specific message.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a narrative to this effect" is a grammatically correct phrase used to reference a story or account that aligns with a specific message or understanding. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English, particularly in news and scientific contexts. The phrase is best suited for formal or professional settings where a concise reference to an existing narrative is required, helping avoid redundancy and ensuring clarity in communication. Alternatives such as "a story along these lines" or "an account of this nature" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a story along these lines

Replaces "narrative" with "story" and uses "along these lines" instead of "to this effect", maintaining the same general meaning.

an account of this nature

Substitutes "narrative" with "account" and "to this effect" with "of this nature" for a slightly more formal tone.

a version of events similar to this

Rephrases the idea as a specific "version of events", emphasizing the subjective aspect of a narrative.

a depiction in this vein

Uses "depiction" to refer to the narrative and "in this vein" to indicate similarity in style and content.

a portrayal of this kind

Employs "portrayal" to describe the narrative and specifies "of this kind" to denote similarity.

a tale to the same purpose

Replaces "narrative" with "tale", implying a less formal storytelling approach, and focuses on the shared "purpose".

a recounting with this implication

Uses "recounting" to suggest a retelling and highlights the specific "implication" conveyed.

a description that suggests as much

Focuses on the descriptive aspect of the narrative and uses "suggests as much" to indicate a similar underlying message.

a report hinting at similar conclusions

Refers to the narrative as a "report" and emphasizes that it "hints at similar conclusions".

an interpretation leading to this understanding

Presents the narrative as an "interpretation", stressing its role in shaping a particular "understanding".

FAQs

How can I use "a narrative to this effect" in a sentence?

You can use "a narrative to this effect" to refer to a previously mentioned or understood story or account. For example: "The report included "a narrative to this effect", detailing the challenges faced by the community".

What are some alternatives to "a narrative to this effect"?

Alternatives include "a story along these lines", "an account of this nature", or "a version of events similar to this", depending on the context.

Is "a narrative to this effect" formal or informal?

"A narrative to this effect" is generally considered more formal and is best suited for academic, professional, or journalistic writing.

What does "to this effect" mean in the phrase "a narrative to this effect"?

In this context, "to this effect" means conveying a similar message, idea, or outcome as something that has already been stated or implied. It indicates that the narrative aligns with a previously established understanding.