that sort of stuff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that sort of stuff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used informally to refer to various items, topics, or activities that are similar in nature or category. Example: "I enjoy reading about technology, science, and that sort of stuff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That sort of stuff.

The New York Times - Sports

All that sort of stuff.

The Guardian - Music

"I don't read that sort of stuff.

Independent

"That's just rubbish, that sort of stuff.

The Guardian - Sport

You can't buy that sort of stuff.

The Guardian - Sport

You know, all that sort of stuff".

The Guardian

That sort of stuff fires me up.

The Guardian

You know, force balancing and all that sort of stuff.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

No need to say that sort of stuff.

The New Yorker

Putting together coaching staffs, that sort of stuff.

The New York Times - Sports

That book is filled with that sort of stuff".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that sort of stuff" to refer to items or topics when you want to avoid being overly specific or listing every single item. It's useful for summarizing a general category.

Common error

While "that sort of stuff" is widely understood, it's best to avoid it in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sort of stuff" functions as a general reference term, used to indicate a category of items, topics, or activities without listing them explicitly. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Music

10%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that sort of stuff" is a common and acceptable phrase used to refer to a general category of items, topics, or activities, according to Ludwig. It's best suited for informal contexts and should be avoided in formal writing where more precise language is preferred. While widely used across various sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, remember that alternatives like "that kind of thing" or specifying the category directly may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that sort of thing

Replaces "stuff" with "thing", keeping the same level of formality.

that kind of thing

Similar meaning, but uses "kind" instead of "sort".

that type of stuff

Uses "type" instead of "sort", providing a subtle variation.

things like that

Reorders the words slightly while retaining the same meaning.

stuff like that

More informal variation, replacing "that sort" with "stuff".

and so forth

A more formal way to indicate a continuation of similar items.

and the like

A slightly more old-fashioned way to indicate similar items.

similar things

A more general phrase that lacks the specific nuance of the original.

related matters

More formal and abstract, referring to related topics or issues.

all that jazz

An informal idiom for similar or related things, topics or activities.

FAQs

How can I use "that sort of stuff" in a sentence?

You can use "that sort of stuff" to refer to a general category of items or topics. For example, "I enjoy reading books about history, science, and "that sort of stuff"".

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

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "related matters", "similar items", or specifying the category directly.

Is "that sort of stuff" appropriate for academic writing?

While understandable, "that sort of stuff" is generally too informal for academic writing. Use more precise and formal language to maintain credibility.

What is the difference between "that sort of thing" and "that sort of stuff"?

"That sort of thing" and "that sort of stuff" are largely interchangeable. "That sort of thing" may be perceived as slightly more formal, but both are generally informal.