something to that extent

USAGE SUMMARY

'something to that extent' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is very large, serious, or extreme. For example, "I have never seen corruption to that extent before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Basically, where Ukip want no EU, the Greens want a smaller and less powerful EU, and where Ukip call for British laws for British people, the Greens would go a step further with Brighton laws for Brighton's people – or something to that extent.

The Guardian

"When I saw him in the preseason, we had just come off a four-hour practice and he gave me grief about that," Scott said of Riley, his former coach with the Los Angeles Lakers".This was the worst game to get kicked out of because we play him next and I know the first thing he'll say is that he never got kicked out or something to that extent.

The New York Times - Sports

It's really important for me to design a study that can tell them what will make them better performers, make them able to move their audience more effectively, or something to that extent.

Science Magazine

They can add a 100-character description of why they can't respond to a message with an emoji of their choice (like an airplane if the Wi-Fi isn't working or something to that extent).

TechCrunch

Rather than diving into software designed for editing sound products like podcasts, Descript aims to build a simple what-you-see-is-what-you-get interface that you would expect when you pop open Google Docs or something to that extent.

TechCrunch

(or something to that extent).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Servants, however, were less inclined than they once were to accept their position as permanent; realistically or not, they dreamed of something better and to that extent epitomized a more general yearning for personal and social improvement that posed a challenge for all Latin American nations.

Britannica

According to Menger (1871), values are not independent real things which exist outside the consciousness of men — value is the importance that people attribute to something to the extent that it satisfies their needs.

SEP

Let her know something to the extent that you value her enough to be honest with her and that you think she is beautiful and that no dress could take that beauty away(both internal and external), but that a different dress might be more flattering to her body type.

WikiHow

A well-respected journalist recently tweeted something to the extent that the most capable and successful chief executives in football are those that you hardly notice.

The Guardian - Sport

Even Gayle King, who saw us running, sent Art an email saying something to the extent that we were rock stars for running in that weather -- it is just so symbolic of Art's whole MO.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something to that extent" to indicate that a statement is an approximation or a generalization, allowing for slight variations or details that may not be precisely specified.

Common error

Avoid using "something to that extent" when a more precise statement is possible or necessary. Overusing the phrase can make your writing seem vague or uncertain when clarity is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something to that extent" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a statement is approximate or represents a generalization, as seen in Ludwig's examples. It suggests the actual details might vary slightly from what is stated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something to that extent" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an approximation or generalization. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, although it's more common in news and general writing than in formal or scientific contexts. When precision is key, consider alternatives like "to a similar degree" or "to some extent". Remember to avoid overusing the phrase when specificity enhances clarity. This phrase is more about conveying the essence rather than pinpoint accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a similar degree

Expresses a comparable level or intensity.

to that degree

Focuses on the level or intensity being referenced.

to some extent

Indicates a partial or limited agreement or similarity.

or words to that effect

Highlights the intention of conveying a similar message without exact wording.

something along those lines

Suggests a general similarity in idea or direction.

in that ballpark

Indicates an approximation or estimate within a certain range.

or something of that nature

Refers to a quality or characteristic similar to what was mentioned.

more or less that

Suggests an approximate equivalence.

in a similar vein

Implies a likeness in style, manner, or approach.

to a comparable level

Highlights similarity in achievement or measure

FAQs

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

"Something to that extent" is used to indicate that a statement is an approximation or generalization. For example, "He said he would be late, or "something to that extent", so I didn't wait for him".

What's a more formal alternative to "something to that extent"?

More formal alternatives include "to a similar degree", "to that degree", or "to some extent", depending on the specific context.

Is "something to that extent" interchangeable with "something to that effect"?

While similar, "something to that extent" emphasizes the degree or magnitude, whereas "something to that effect" focuses on the general message or outcome.

When is it inappropriate to use "something to that extent"?

It is inappropriate when precision is necessary, such as in legal documents or scientific reports where specific details are crucial. Use more precise language instead.