to that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer back to something previously mentioned or to indicate agreement or acknowledgment of a point. Example: "I understand your concerns, and I agree to that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Housing responded to that.

The Economist

Balls to that.

Independent

He drank to that.

The New Yorker

We'll get to that.

The New York Times - Books

People respond to that.

The New York Times

She related to that.

The New Yorker

"I'm sensitive to that.

The New York Times - Sports

Good riddance to that.

The New York Times

Everyone drank to that.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cheers to that.

The New York Times

There's something to that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the reference of "to that" is immediately clear to the reader. If there's any chance of confusion, rephrase the sentence or provide additional context.

Common error

Avoid using "to that" when the antecedent is vague or distant. If the reader has to search for what "that" refers to, the phrase becomes confusing and weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to that" acts as a prepositional phrase, functioning primarily as an adverbial modifier. It often indicates a connection or response to a preceding statement or action, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples where it expresses agreement, reaction, or reference.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to that" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or clause to indicate a connection or response to something previously mentioned. Ludwig AI identifies its use as grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to ensure the reference of "that" is clear to avoid ambiguity. For more formal settings, alternatives like "regarding that" or "in that regard" might be preferred. Overall, "to that" is a useful tool for maintaining coherence in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in that regard

This alternative is generally used to limit or specify the scope of the discussion.

regarding that

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the subject being referred to.

concerning that

This option directly introduces the topic to be addressed.

in connection with that

This suggests a link or association between the current statement and a previous one.

in relation to that

This phrase offers a more detailed and analytical connection to the subject.

with respect to that

Similar to "regarding that", this is a formal way of indicating the subject under discussion.

pertaining to that

A formal way of indicating relevance or connection to the subject.

on that matter

This phrase specifies that the response is about a particular issue or subject.

on that point

This option focuses specifically on a single idea or argument previously mentioned.

as regards that

This is a somewhat archaic but still valid way to introduce a topic.

FAQs

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

Use "to that" to refer back to something previously mentioned. For instance, "He explained the new policy, and I agreed "to that"."

What's an alternative to using "to that"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "regarding that", "in that regard", or "concerning that".

Is it always necessary to use "to that"?

No, sometimes you can rephrase the sentence to be more direct. Instead of saying "He mentioned the problem, and I responded to that", you could say "I responded to the problem he mentioned".

How formal is the phrase "to that"?

The formality of "to that" depends on the context, while generally neutral, it can fit into both informal and professional settings. More formal alternatives include "with respect to that" or "in relation to that" for higher formality.