amounts to that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amounts to that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is equivalent to or can be summarized as something else. Example: "His actions, while seemingly harmless, amounts to that of betrayal in the eyes of his friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

So that's the theorem and now we're going to prove it so that you can see the whole logic of the free market just amounts to that.

Yale University

That strategy, if it amounts to that, would visit a disaster of epic proportions upon the world economy.

The New York Times

The D-mark rose strongly on the news of the IMF-led package for Russia; German banks have lent large amounts to that country.

The Economist

However, only in the public debate over the rape case have doubts been raised about whether such understanding amounts to that of an adult involved in a similar crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the developmental biologist Armand Marie Leroi has observed in his book "Mutants," Mr. Eastlack's skeleton, with its "extra sheets, struts and pinnacles of bone," amounts to "that of a 40-year-old man encased in another skeleton, but one that is inchoate and out of control".

The New York Times - Science

As shown by Åström et al. (Automatica 34 5) (1998) 585), the problem of designing a stabilizing PI controller based on minimizing integral of error associated with step load disturbance while subjecting to constraints on maximum sensitivity and/or complementary sensitivity amounts to that of finding the maximum allowable integral gain.

Automatica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

She paid a similar amount to that which Tongo claimed Shrien paid.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was the possibility, but it never amounted to that.

Vice

"I owe a huge amount to that great woman".

The New Yorker

Those mundane routines of daily life amount to that $17 trillion a year.

The Washington Post

The difference didn't amount to that much money, one person involved in the talks said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "amounts to that", ensure the "that" clearly refers to a previously mentioned concept or idea to maintain clarity. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the reference explicitly if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "amounts to that" when the "that" lacks a clear antecedent. This can confuse readers. Always ensure the reference is explicit or easily inferable from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amounts to that" functions as a linking expression, indicating equivalence or summarization. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage to equate one thing to another previously mentioned concept. Examples show it connects actions, ideas, or situations to a specific outcome or understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amounts to that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate equivalence or summarization. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage, often found in News & Media, Academia and Science. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. To ensure clarity, always make sure "that" refers to a clear antecedent. Alternatives like "is equivalent to that" may offer more precision in certain situations. In conclusion, the expression is versatile and useful for simplifying complex ideas, provided it's used with care.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is equivalent to that

Replaces "amounts to" with "is equivalent to", emphasizing equality or interchangeability.

is the same as that

Substitutes "amounts to" with "is the same as", highlighting identity or correspondence.

is equal to that

Replaces "amounts to" with "is equal to", focusing on quantitative or qualitative equivalence.

is comparable to that

Substitutes "amounts to" with "is comparable to", suggesting similarity rather than exact equivalence.

is analogous to that

Replaces "amounts to" with "is analogous to", implying a parallel or resemblance in some aspects.

is reducible to that

Changes "amounts to" with "is reducible to", highlighting the simplification or condensation of something.

boils down to that

Replaces "amounts to" with "boils down to", conveying the essence or core of something.

is effectively that

Substitutes "amounts to" with "is effectively that", indicating practical or functional equivalence.

can be considered that

Replaces "amounts to" with "can be considered that", emphasizing a subjective or interpretive assessment.

is virtually that

Changes "amounts to" with "is virtually that", conveying near equivalence or approximation.

FAQs

How can I use "amounts to that" in a sentence?

Use "amounts to that" to indicate that something is equivalent to or can be summarized as a previously mentioned concept. For example: "His behavior, when analyzed, amounts to that of passive aggression."

What is a more formal alternative to "amounts to that"?

A more formal alternative could be "is tantamount to that", which conveys a similar meaning but with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to say "amounts to that" in academic writing?

Yes, it's acceptable in academic writing, but ensure clarity and precision. Alternatives like "is equivalent to that" might be more suitable in some contexts.

What's the difference between "amounts to that" and "results in that"?

"Amounts to that" implies equivalence or summary, while "results in that" implies a causal relationship. For example, "Careless spending amounts to that kind of debt," versus, "Careless spending results in that kind of debt".