anything of the sort

USAGE SUMMARY

"anything of the sort" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to some kind of thing or situation that might be implied or suggested. For example, "I don't think he would do anything of the sort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It isn't anything of the sort.

Independent

He didn't see anything of the sort.

The New York Times

He never said anything of the sort".

The Guardian

I've not heard anything of the sort.

The Guardian - Sport

I didn't see anything of the sort.

The Guardian - Sport

Free market "morality" isn't anything of the sort.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama has never done anything of the sort.

The New York Times

He had never done anything of the sort before.

The New York Times

But it fails to prove anything of the sort.

The Economist

Romney's language won't do anything of the sort.

The New York Times

But I don't think they've done anything of the sort".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anything of the sort" to politely deny a suggestion or implication, especially when you want to avoid being too direct or confrontational.

Common error

Avoid using "anything of the sort" when a more specific or direct denial is necessary. Overusing it can make your writing sound vague or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything of the sort" functions as an idiomatic expression used for denial or negation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to indicate that a previous statement, suggestion, or implication is not true or accurate. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts to refute claims or expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anything of the sort" is a common idiomatic expression used to negate or deny a previous statement or implication. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "nothing of the kind" or ""not at all"" can serve as substitutes, it's important to consider the specific context to ensure the most appropriate tone and clarity. Remember to use it when you want to politely disagree or correct a misunderstanding without being overly direct. Overusing the phrase might make your writing sound vague. The linguistic analysis reveals a neutral register and a primary function of denial or negation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anything of the kind

Replaces "sort" with "kind", maintaining the same meaning and implication of negation.

nothing of the kind

Similar to "anything of the kind", it negates the idea previously mentioned.

nothing like that

Emphasizes the dissimilarity between what was implied and the reality.

not at all

Offers a more concise way to express complete disagreement or denial.

quite the contrary

Introduces a statement that is the opposite of what was suggested.

far from it

Indicates that the truth is very different from what has been implied.

by no means

Expresses a strong denial or refusal.

not in the slightest

Emphasizes that the speaker does not agree at all with the suggestion.

absolutely not

Provides a clear and forceful denial.

not in any way

Denies any connection or similarity to what was previously mentioned.

FAQs

How can I use "anything of the sort" in a sentence?

Use "anything of the sort" to deny or negate a previous statement or implication, implying that the reality is different. For example, "I never suggested "anything of the kind"."

What does "anything of the sort" mean?

It means "nothing like that" or "not at all", used to strongly deny something that has been suggested or implied. You can also use "nothing like that" or "not at all".

Are there formal alternatives to "anything of the sort"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "quite the contrary" or "far from it" as more formal ways to deny or contradict a statement. These alternatives can add a more sophisticated tone to your writing. "Quite the contrary" suggests the opposite is true, while "far from it" implies a significant difference from what was suggested.

Is "anything of the sort" interchangeable with "anything of the kind"?

Yes, "anything of the sort" and ""anything of the kind"" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. Both phrases are used to negate a previous statement or implication.