that way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that way" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific direction, method, or manner of doing something. Example: "If you want to avoid traffic, you should take the back roads that way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's funny that way..

The New Yorker

He's focused that way.

The New York Times

I'm immortal that way.

The New Yorker

"It's great that way".

The New York Times - Sports

He slow that way".

The New Yorker

More sustainable that way.

The Economist

He's crazy that way".

BBC

It looks that way.

Forbes

"Jose's great that way.

BBC

We went that way.

Los Angeles Times

I'm lucky that way.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that way" to clearly indicate a direction, method, or manner, ensuring the context provides sufficient clarity for the reader to understand the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "that way" when the intended direction or method is unclear, leading to confusion. Always provide context or clarification to ensure the reader understands the reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that way" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate direction, manner, or method. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that way" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote direction, manner, or method. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English, particularly within news and media. While its usage is generally straightforward, clarity in context is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "in that direction" or "in that manner" can provide more specific or formal options. This phrase is very common and has a neutral tone, making it appropriate for many communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in that direction

Specifies physical direction more explicitly.

in that manner

Emphasizes the method or style of doing something.

like that

A more informal substitute, indicating a similar approach.

along those lines

Indicates similarity in concept or idea.

in such a fashion

A more formal alternative, highlighting the style.

toward that side

Focuses on the physical direction or orientation.

by that route

Highlights a specific path or course of action.

following that path

Suggests adhering to a specific course of action.

in accordance with that

Emphasizes agreement or conformity with a previous statement.

according to that method

Focuses on the specific procedure or technique used.

FAQs

How can I use "that way" in a sentence?

"That way" can be used to indicate a direction, as in "He went "in that direction"", or a method, as in "It's easier "like that"".

What's a more formal alternative to "that way"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases such as "in that manner" or "in such a fashion".

Is it ever incorrect to use "that way"?

While generally correct, using "that way" can be ambiguous if the context doesn't clearly specify what "that way" refers to. Always ensure clarity to avoid confusion.

How does "that way" differ from "along those lines"?

"That way" often refers to a specific direction or method, while "along those lines" suggests similarity in concept or idea rather than a specific action or route.