something to that effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something to that effect" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to indicate that something that has been quoted is not the exact word, but it conveys the same spirit of the original quote. For example: "He said that he was looking for a new job, something to that effect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"If I felt that this was getting me absolutely nowhere and it was a press farce, then yeah, I probably would say 'enough's enough' and I'd probably say something to that effect publicly,'' Dunlap said.

Huffington Post

Or something to that effect.

The New York Times - Arts

Maybe Jay heard from someone else something to that effect".

The New York Times - Arts

He said something to that effect to somebody.

The New Yorker

Maybe to 50 brokers or something to that effect, something that we could still manage.

The New York Times

Mr Blunkett later accepted that he said something to that effect.

The Guardian

We're all behind you, or are depending on you, or something to that effect.

The New Yorker

"He didn't really know," Al said, or something to that effect.

The New Yorker

I seem to remember reading something to that effect in this very reputable paper".

The Guardian - Business

In one scene Harry Truman even says something to that effect.

The New York Times - Books

It's a parasite that sucks hardworking Americans dry! (Or something to that effect).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something to that effect" to indicate that you are paraphrasing or summarizing someone's words, not quoting them directly. This adds transparency and avoids misrepresentation.

Common error

Avoid using "something to that effect" in formal or academic writing where precise language and direct quotes are preferred. Instead, aim for accurate paraphrasing or direct citation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something to that effect" primarily functions as a hedge or qualifier. It indicates that a statement is not an exact quote but rather a paraphrase or approximation of what was said. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase indicates you aren't using the exact words but maintain the original meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "something to that effect" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate you are paraphrasing, not directly quoting. As Ludwig AI describes, the phrase signals that the given statement is not the exact wording, but conveys the same essence. It's widely used in news and media, and less frequently in formal academic settings. To maintain clarity and precision in academic writing, aim for accurate paraphrasing or direct quotes rather than relying on this phrase. Alternatives such as ""something along those lines"" offer similar meanings, depending on the context. Use it to show a summary or your interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something along those lines

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the statement, allowing for some variance.

or similar wording

Highlights that the actual phrasing may vary while the core idea remains consistent.

words to that general idea

Specifies that the phrasing is similar to a broader concept, not necessarily a specific statement.

in that vein

Indicates similarity in style, sentiment, or topic, but not necessarily in the exact words used.

to that general point

Focuses on similarity of the overall message without concern for the specifics.

in a similar vein

Suggests likeness in the way something is expressed rather than the words themselves.

of a similar nature

Suggests the topic is alike rather than the specific wording.

in essence

Refers to the core idea or meaning, rather than a verbatim representation.

approximately

Highlights that the statement is an estimation and not an exact quote.

more or less

Indicates the statement is roughly accurate, allowing for minor differences.

FAQs

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

Use "something to that effect" to indicate you're not providing an exact quote but conveying the gist of what was said, like: "He mentioned wanting to leave early, "something to that effect"".

What's a more formal way to say "something to that effect"?

In formal contexts, instead of "something to that effect", you might say "or words to that effect" or "or a similar statement" to maintain a higher level of precision.

Is it okay to use "something to that effect" in academic writing?

While "something to that effect" is acceptable in informal writing, academic writing typically requires more precise language. Aim to accurately paraphrase or directly quote sources instead.

What's the difference between "something to that effect" and "something along those lines"?

"Something to that effect" usually refers to a paraphrase of spoken words, while "something along those lines" can refer to a general idea or concept, not necessarily something someone said.