reply to that effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reply to that effect" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a response that conveys a similar meaning or sentiment to what has been previously stated. An example would be: "He sent a message to that effect, confirming his agreement." Alternative expressions include "respond in that manner" and "reply in a similar vein."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I got back a form reply, to the effect that anyone who has boarded an Atlanta flight at eight and hasn't eaten dinner is an isolated and negligible problem.

Forbes

When Barack Obama was asked what surprised him most about becoming president, he replied to the effect that he hadn't realised how difficult it would be to get anything done.

The Guardian - Opinion

"One of his friends said," Dr. Judson recalled, " 'Bill, I expected you to arrive in a Ferrari.' " He replied to the effect that he thought of arriving with a couple of young women.

The New York Times - Science

I didn't see any point in replying to that.

The New Yorker

Do we ever, came the reply, or words to that effect.

The New York Times

"I don't want to fight you," one, me, shouts; "You always were blinded by sentimentality," comes the reply, or something to that effect (look, I'm not taking word-for-word notes here).

Vice

The newest addition to their toolset is a recommendation engine that gives tactical and practical suggestions on what to post, who to follow, what to read, what to reply to — in effect turning anyone into a social media guru.

TechCrunch

Try telling that to the child in a remote village in West Africa, who, when he spotted a foreigner clambering out of a mud-splattered four-wheel drive vehicle, approached shyly and asked "Where are you from?" "Chicago," was the reply, to instantaneous effect.

The New York Times

Don't reply to people that make fun of you.

WikiHow

I was asked if I still keep in touch with Yale, or with Yale men, or something to that effect, and replied that when I was at Yale, I noticed that Yale men two or three years out of college became awful bores to the undergraduates..

The New Yorker

I was asked if I still keep in touch with Yale, or with Yale men, or something to that effect, and replied that when I was at Yale, I noticed that Yale men two or three years out of college became awful bores to the undergraduates.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the 'effect' being referred to has been clearly established in the preceding sentence to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Do not write "he gave a reply to that effect" if "he replied to that effect" suffices. The phrase "to that effect" is already heavy, so keeping the verb simple prevents the sentence from becoming wordy.

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "reply to that effect" functions as a complex predicate where the prepositional phrase "to that effect" acts as an adverbial modifier. According to Ludwig AI, this structure allows for the condensation of reported speech by referring back to a previously mentioned semantic core.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reply to that effect" is a robust tool for any writer looking to streamline their reporting of dialogue or correspondence. Ludwig AI confirms that it is universally recognized as grammatically correct and is a staple of professional journalism. By using this phrase, you can effectively communicate that a response was consistent with a previous point without becoming bogged down in literal transcriptions. It is best reserved for formal or semi-formal contexts where clarity and brevity are prioritized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

answer to that effect

Replaces the verb while maintaining the exact idiomatic ending.

respond along those lines

Uses a more spatial metaphor to suggest similarity in content.

reply in a similar vein

Suggests the response shared the same mood or style as the subject.

give a similar answer

More literal and less idiomatic than the original phrase.

reply in that manner

Focuses more on the method of the reply rather than just the content.

respond accordingly

More concise, implying the response was appropriate for the situation described.

respond in kind

Suggests returning a response that matches the tone or action of the original.

echo that sentiment

Specifically implies agreement or repetition of the same feeling.

reiterate that point

Implies the reply was a repetition of a previously stated fact.

confirm that stance

Focuses on the validation of a specific position or opinion.

FAQs

How do I use "reply to that effect" in a sentence?

You can use it to summarize a response, for example: "When asked if he would attend, he sent a "reply to that effect", confirming his presence."

What is the meaning of the phrase "reply to that effect"?

It means to give an answer that has the same general meaning or message as something previously mentioned, even if the exact words are different.

What can I say instead of "reply to that effect"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "respond similarly", "answer along those lines", or "reply in that vein".

Is "reply to that effect" considered formal English?

Yes, it is a formal and professional expression. It is frequently found in high-quality publications like "The New York Times" and is suitable for business or academic writing.