of some sort

USAGE SUMMARY

"of some sort" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something is a subset of a larger group. For example, "I need to get a new car of some sort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a stalag of some sort".

The New Yorker

Progress, of some sort, had been made.

The New York Times

Is it a trick of some sort?

Independent

Should there be peacekeeping of some sort?

The New York Times

A deal of some sort gone bad?

The New York Times

A confrontation of some sort seemed inevitable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Underneath was a rock of some sort.

The New Yorker

There was contact of some sort.

The New Yorker

A cat? A rodent of some sort?

The New York Times

A joke of some sort?

The New Yorker

But Army of some sort.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "of some sort" with descriptive adjectives to provide a bit more context without being overly specific. For example, "a strange feeling of some sort" provides more information than just "a feeling of some sort".

Common error

While "of some sort" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing where precision is valued. Replace it with more specific terms when possible to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of some sort" functions as a post-modifier, adding a layer of vagueness or generality to the noun it follows. Ludwig AI Examples illustrate this, showing how it softens the specificity of a noun, indicating a broader category.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of some sort" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something belongs to a general category without being specific. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While useful for adding a touch of vagueness or generality, it is important to consider the register and opt for more precise language in formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "of a kind" or "of a type" can offer similar meanings while adjusting the level of formality. Overall, understanding the nuances of "of some sort" helps writers use it effectively and appropriately in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of a kind

Replaces "sort" with "kind", keeping the meaning of an unspecified type.

of a type

Substitutes "sort" with "type", maintaining the concept of an unspecific category.

of a description

Highlights the quality or class of an object without being specific.

of an attribute

Focuses more on the features or properties of something.

in some manner

More formal alternative focusing on the method or approach.

in a way

Focuses more on the manner than the specific category.

somehow

Indicates an action or event happened in an unspecified manner.

in a certain respect

Highlights a particular aspect or detail that is undefined.

to some extent

Indicates a degree of something without being specific.

after a fashion

Implies something is done or exists, but not perfectly or ideally.

FAQs

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

Use "of some sort" to indicate that something belongs to a general category without specifying details. For instance, "I need a tool "of some sort" to fix this." This implies you need a tool, but the exact type isn't crucial.

What are some alternatives to "of some sort"?

Alternatives include phrases like "of a kind", "of a type", or "in a way", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "of some sort" formal or informal?

"Of some sort" leans towards informal usage. In formal contexts, consider more precise language. Instead of "an agreement "of some sort"", you might say "a preliminary agreement" or "a tentative understanding."

When should I avoid using "of some sort"?

Avoid using "of some sort" in situations where specificity is important. For example, in a scientific report, vague language such as "evidence "of some sort"" should be replaced with concrete details and specific findings.