to the same effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to the same effect' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to mean that something has the same result or purpose as something else. For example: "She could not recall the exact words she had used, but she could remember the meaning of what she had said to the same effect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"All the intelligence we received was to the same effect.

The Guardian

Every few minutes announcements are made to the same effect.

The Economist

Regardless of that, there is an overwhelming political argument to the same effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

We asked them nicely to stop, and sent a letter to the same effect.

The New York Times

Professors Bhagwati and Stiglitz both issued prepared statements to the same effect.

The New York Times

When attention turned to Egypt, he decided to use Twitter to the same effect.

The New York Times

Then the Supreme Court suspended implementation of a decree to the same effect.

The Economist

Mr. Medvedev has called a rare news conference for May 18, to the same effect.

The New York Times

Phil Handler, then president of the National Academy of Sciences, testified in Congress to the same effect in 1980.

The New York Times - Magazine

This little test was repeated with a pinot noir and a cabernet sauvignon, both from California, to the same effect.

The New York Times

If I were wrong about that, I would find that the tweet bore an innuendo meaning to the same effect".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the same effect" to clearly indicate that a subsequent action, statement, or event has a similar result or purpose as a preceding one. This helps maintain coherence and avoids unnecessary repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "to the same effect" when you mean "in effect". "To the same effect" indicates a similar outcome, while "in effect" means something is actually happening or is in operation. "The new rule is in effect" (the rule is active) is different from "The announcement was to the same effect as the previous one" (the announcements had the same meaning).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the same effect" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or statement has a similar result or purpose as something previously mentioned. Ludwig confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to the same effect" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something achieves a similar result or conveys a comparable message. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Key takeaways include distinguishing it from "in effect", understanding its purpose in avoiding redundancy, and recognizing its neutral to formal register. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and usefulness in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a similar end

Highlights the shared goal or purpose, but with a slightly different wording.

with the same result

Focuses on the outcome, not necessarily the intent behind the action or statement.

along the same lines

Suggests a similar direction or approach, but may not achieve the exact same result.

with comparable consequences

Focuses on the parallel consequences rather than the direct replication of the original action.

similarly

Indicates a parallel action or statement, lacking the explicit connection to a previous statement's intent.

correspondingly

Indicates a parallel or matching action or statement in a reciprocal manner.

in a similar vein

Indicates a continuation of the same topic or style, not necessarily the same outcome.

equivalent to

Highlights a direct equivalence, useful in technical or mathematical contexts.

tantamount to

Implies that the effect is virtually the same, but with stronger consequences.

of like mind

Expresses the same opinion but only relates to opinions and thoughts.

FAQs

How can I use "to the same effect" in a sentence?

You can use "to the same effect" to show that something has a similar result or meaning as something else. For example, "The manager's email and the team lead's announcement were "to the same effect", both emphasizing the importance of meeting the deadline."

What's a formal alternative to "to the same effect"?

A more formal alternative to "to the same effect" is "with a similar outcome" or "achieving a comparable result". These phrases can add a more professional tone to your writing.

Is it correct to say "of the same effect" instead of "to the same effect"?

No, the correct phrase is "to the same effect". "Of the same effect" is not grammatically correct and should be avoided.

What is the difference between "to the same effect" and "in effect"?

"To the same effect" indicates that something has a similar result or meaning as something else, while "in effect" means that something is actually happening or in operation. Understanding this distinction is crucial for using these phrases correctly.