of this sort

USAGE SUMMARY

'of this sort' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been mentioned previously or is similar to what has been previously mentioned. For example: I’ve been working on several projects of this sort lately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Food, things of this sort.

The New York Times

Rampages of this sort have become familiar.

The New York Times - Arts

Objects of this sort are called "abstract".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Something of this sort.

The New Yorker

Misadventure of this sort wasn't too troubling.

The New Yorker

"I've heard of this sort of thing".

The New Yorker

Responses of this sort are not serious.

The Guardian - Opinion

More of this sort of thing, please.

The Guardian - Sport

Differences of this sort are inevitable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Will virtual peacemaking of this sort work?

The New York Times - Magazine

Product Red tries nothing of this sort.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context. While generally acceptable, more formal writing might benefit from more precise language.

Common error

Avoid using "of this sort" in very simple sentences where a more direct adjective would suffice. For example, instead of saying "I don't like books of this sort", consider "I don't like these books".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of this sort" functions as a post-modifier, specifying or qualifying a noun or noun phrase. It indicates that something belongs to a category previously mentioned or implied. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of this sort" is a versatile phrase used to indicate similarity or categorization, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science, it serves to connect a current topic to a previously established context. While grammatically sound and commonly used, its neutrality makes it appropriate for various registers, though more formal settings might necessitate greater precision. When writing, remember to avoid overuse in simple sentences and explore alternatives such as "of this nature" or "of this kind" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of this nature

Focuses on the inherent qualities or characteristics.

of this kind

Emphasizes the specific type or variety.

of this type

Highlights the classification or category.

like this

Uses a more direct and informal comparison.

such as this

Introduces a specific example for comparison.

of this variety

Stresses the diversity within a category.

of a similar kind

Indicates resemblance without being identical.

along these lines

Refers to something generally similar in concept or direction.

of this ilk

Suggests a negative connotation or shared undesirable trait.

in this vein

Implies a continuation of a particular style or approach.

FAQs

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

Use "of this sort" to refer to something similar to what you've already mentioned. For example, "We've seen problems like this before, and issues "of this sort" require immediate action".

What are some alternatives to using "of this sort"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "of this nature", "of this kind", or "like this" to express a similar meaning.

Is "of this sort" formal or informal?

"Of this sort" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider more precise language for highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "of this sort" and "of this type"?

While both phrases are similar, "of this type" emphasizes classification or category, whereas "of this sort" implies a general similarity or characteristic. The phrase "of this type" may be more appropriate when referring to technical or specific categories.