or words to that effect

USAGE SUMMARY

"or words to that effect" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate that one is summarizing what was said, rather than quoting it exactly. For example: He said he wanted to leave as soon as possible, or words to that effect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Or words to that effect.

The New York Times

"All right mate?" he said, or words to that effect.

The Guardian - Sport

Sure, she said (or words to that effect).

The Washington Post

No dice, he said, or words to that effect.

The New York Times

You stink, he told him, or words to that effect.

The New York Times - Magazine

O.K., shoot, Gretzky said, or words to that effect.

The New York Times - Sports

What happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room, or words to that effect.

The Guardian - Sport

"Jay said Miriam and Charlotte were primarily radio reporters or words to that effect".

The Guardian

'How many books have YOU written, then?' it will say or words to that effect.

The Guardian - Books

(Or words to that effect: the book's partisans tend to be more graphic).

The New York Times

Ms. Charlotte said, "Of course," or words to that effect, while thinking, "I'm not believing this".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "or words to that effect" when you can't recall the exact phrasing but want to convey the general meaning of a statement. This adds a touch of informality and honesty to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "or words to that effect" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing seem imprecise or lazy. Instead, try to recall the actual words or use a more specific paraphrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "or words to that effect" functions as a pragmatic marker, signaling that the speaker is providing a paraphrase or summary rather than a verbatim quote. This is confirmed by Ludwig, indicating its acceptability in written English. It adds a layer of informality and acknowledges potential imprecision in recall.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "or words to that effect" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that you are paraphrasing, not directly quoting, someone's statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While informal, it serves as a useful tool to convey the general meaning when exact wording is not crucial. Consider alternatives like "or something to that effect" or "or approximately that" for variety. Avoid overuse to maintain writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

or something to that effect

Replaces "words" with "something", suggesting an even less precise recollection of the original statement.

or a similar expression

Specifies that the speaker recalls a similar phrase but not the exact wording.

or approximately that

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the recalled statement.

or that's the gist of it

Highlights that the speaker is providing a summary of the core message.

or to that general idea

Focuses on the overall concept rather than the specific wording.

or what amounts to the same thing

Emphasizes that the effect of the original statement is the same as the speaker's wording.

or in a similar vein

Indicates that the speaker is paraphrasing the sentiment.

or so he/she implied

Shifts the focus to the implication rather than the direct quote.

or the like

Offers a less formal way to indicate an approximation.

or put another way

Suggests the previous statement is being rephrased, not necessarily recalled verbatim.

FAQs

How can I use "or words to that effect" in a sentence?

Use "or words to that effect" after a statement you are paraphrasing, indicating that you are not quoting directly but conveying the general meaning. For example: "He said he was leaving, "or words to that effect"".

What's the difference between "or words to that effect" and "in other words"?

"In other words" introduces a restatement of something you yourself have said, clarifying your meaning. "Or words to that effect" suggests you're approximating someone else's statement. For example: "I am exhausted; "in other words", I need a nap" vs. "He sounded tired, "or words to that effect".

Is it appropriate to use "or words to that effect" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "or words to that effect" is generally more suited to informal contexts. In formal writing, aim for precise quotations or more formal paraphrasing techniques. You could say something like "He stated something similar to..." instead.

What are some alternatives to "or words to that effect"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "or something to that effect", "or to that general idea", or "or approximately that".