sort of thing

USAGE SUMMARY

"sort of thing" is correct and commonly used in written English, usually referring to something that is similar to a certain concept or example.
For example, "I'm not sure what type of food to bring, but something healthy and nutritious is the sort of thing I'm looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Best buddy sort of thing.

The New Yorker

Rationalism, that sort of thing.

The New York Times

That sort of thing works.

The New York Times

"What sort of thing?" "Exercises.

The New Yorker

that sort of thing.

The New Yorker

The accused' – that sort of thing.

The Guardian

But this sort of thing is ridiculous.

The New Yorker

Fine joinery and that sort of thing.

The New Yorker

Insurance, wills, that sort of thing.

The New York Times

"They stand for that sort of thing.

The New Yorker

This sort of thing has a history.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort of thing" to casually indicate something that is typical or expected within a given category or context.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "sort of thing", as it can make your writing sound vague. Replace it with more specific language whenever possible to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort of thing" functions as a qualifier or hedge, indicating that something is similar to or falls within a general category of things. As Ludwig AI says, it's correct and commonly used in written English. It is frequently used to avoid being overly specific or to generalize about a category.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sort of thing" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate similarity or approximation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is widely used in written English. While highly frequent in News & Media, Science, and Academia, it is less common in formal contexts. When using "sort of thing", writers should be mindful of the level of formality required and consider more specific alternatives if clarity is paramount. Though versatile, overusing "sort of thing" can weaken writing. Related phrases like "kind of thing" or "something like that" provide suitable alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kind of thing

Uses 'kind' instead of 'sort', maintaining the same meaning.

type of thing

Substitutes 'sort' with 'type', indicating a category or classification.

something like that

Offers a more general way to refer to something similar to what was mentioned.

that kind of stuff

Uses 'stuff' instead of 'thing', implying a collection of related items.

that sort of stuff

Uses 'stuff' instead of 'thing', implying a collection of related items, and 'sort' instead of 'kind'.

that type of stuff

Uses 'stuff' instead of 'thing', implying a collection of related items, and 'type' instead of 'kind'.

and so forth

Indicates that there are more similar items or details that could be mentioned.

and the like

Similar to 'and so forth', suggesting additional items of the same nature.

or something to that effect

Indicates an approximate or similar idea, rather than an exact match.

similar things

Directly refers to items that are alike or comparable.

FAQs

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

"Sort of thing" is used to refer to something similar to what you've just mentioned. For example, "I enjoy outdoor activities, camping and hiking /s/that+sort+of+thing.

What's a more formal alternative to "sort of thing"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "similar items", "related matters", or "comparable examples" instead of "sort of thing".

Is "sort of thing" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "sort of thing" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and descriptive language.

What's the difference between "sort of thing" and /s/kind+of+thing?

The phrases "sort of thing" and "kind of thing" are essentially interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference.