have a sort of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a sort of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a vague or approximate quality or characteristic of something. Example: "I have a sort of feeling that something exciting is about to happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have a sort of established routine.

The New Yorker

Foreigners have a sort of adjunct status.

The New York Times

People have a sort of epiphany.

The Guardian - Books

Have a sort of band prenup.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Because you have a sort of name".

The Guardian - Film

They have a sort of stubbornness".

The Guardian - Sport

They have a sort of prescience about the situation.

The New York Times

You have a sort of swirling rotation, in C major.

The New Yorker

They have a sort of pedagogical sixth sense.

The New York Times

People have a sort of panicky reaction – they lose it.

The Guardian

I have a sort of tactility about music.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have a sort of" to indicate an approximate or indefinite quality. This works well when you want to avoid being overly precise.

Common error

Avoid using "have a sort of" excessively, as it can make your writing sound vague and hesitant. Consider more specific language when precision is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a sort of" functions as a qualifier, softening the description of a noun or idea. As shown by Ludwig, this expression introduces a sense of approximation or generality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have a sort of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression in English to denote an approximate or indefinite characteristic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and appears in various contexts, primarily in news, academic, and general writing. While versatile, avoid overuse to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. The tool provides examples from authoritative sources and suggest alternatives to improve expressiveness. Using this phrase correctly contributes to effective communication by indicating a quality without demanding exactness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have something of

A more concise way of saying "have a sort of", useful for brevity.

have a touch of

Suggests a subtle or slight presence of something.

have a hint of

Similar to "have a touch of", but suggests something even more subtle.

possess a certain kind of

Emphasizes possession of a specific type, adding a touch of formality.

have a shade of

Implies a nuance or slight variation in color or quality.

show some level of

Indicates the presence of a particular attribute or characteristic.

display a degree of

Focuses on the extent to which something is present.

bear a resemblance to

Stresses visual or structural similarities to something else.

exhibit a semblance of

Highlights a superficial similarity, suggesting the quality is not fully realized.

present a flavor of

Commonly used when describing abstracts concepts or the arts to suggest a particular mood

FAQs

How can I use "have a sort of" in a sentence?

The phrase "have a sort of" is used to express a vague or approximate quality. For example, "I "have a sort of" feeling that something exciting is about to happen."

What can I say instead of "have a sort of"?

You can use alternatives like "possess a certain kind of", "show some level of", or "have a touch of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "have a sort of"?

Yes, the phrase "have a sort of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate an approximate or indefinite quality.

What's the difference between "have a sort of" and "have a kind of"?

The phrases ""have a sort of"" and "have a kind of" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them is often a matter of personal preference.