to this degree

USAGE SUMMARY

"to this degree" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It suggests a degree of something that is higher or lower than usual, and implies that the extent of something is more than anticipated. For example: "He was surprised by how much he liked the movie, to this degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not to this degree.

The New York Times

Not to this degree of complexity.

University of California, Berkeley

Elevating him to this degree was really quite a trick.

The New York Times - Books

Being famous to this degree sounds like a nightmare.

The New York Times

Why otherwise would he be appraising himself to this degree?

Independent

Not all stockmarkets have recovered to this degree.

The Economist

Understanding anesthesia to this degree allows for practical insights.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Misconceptions about conditions that affect individuals to this degree can be dangerous.

The Guardian

To reject our ancestral habitat to this degree seems like hubris.

The Guardian

In the past three years prices at area restaurants have risen but not to this degree.

The New York Times

"We've dealt with complex issues before, but not to this degree".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to this degree" to emphasize a surprising or unexpected level of something, indicating it's more or less than anticipated. This highlights the intensity or extent of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "to this degree" when simply stating a fact without implying a comparison or surprise. It's not just about the amount, but about the unexpected extent of that amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to this degree" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to specify the extent or level of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a degree higher or lower than usual, implying an unexpected extent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to this degree" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to highlight the extent or intensity of something, often implying surprise or unexpectedness. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing, make it a valuable tool for effective communication. While alternatives like "to such an extent" or "to this extent" exist, "to this degree" offers a distinct emphasis on the level achieved. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a noteworthy or surprising magnitude, avoiding its use in simple factual statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to this extent

A direct synonym, replacing "degree" with "extent" without altering the core meaning.

to such an extent

Replaces "this degree" with "such an extent", emphasizing the magnitude.

to that level

Substitutes "this degree" with "that level", indicating a comparable intensity.

to this magnitude

Replaces 'degree' with 'magnitude', emphasizing the size or scale of something.

to such a level of intensity

More explicitly defines the 'degree' as 'level of intensity'.

to this proportion

Uses "proportion" to indicate a comparable ratio or scale.

to the same degree

Expresses a comparison of equivalence to a specified amount or level.

on this scale

Indicates a position on a graded range or system.

in this measure

Employs "measure" to suggest a quantitative or qualitative assessment.

up to this point

Shifts the focus to a specific point in a progression or scale, but means the same.

FAQs

How can I use "to this degree" in a sentence?

Use "to this degree" to express that something has reached a surprising or unexpected level. For example, "I didn't expect him to succeed "to this degree"" means his success was greater than anticipated.

What are some alternatives to saying "to this degree"?

You can use alternatives such as "to such an extent", "to this extent", or "to that level" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "to that degree" instead of "to this degree"?

Yes, "to that degree" is grammatically correct and often interchangeable with "to this degree". The choice depends on whether you are referring to something previously mentioned (that) or something currently being discussed (this).

What's the difference between "to a degree" and "to this degree"?

"To a degree" indicates a partial extent or limited amount, whereas "to this degree" emphasizes a specific, often surprising, level or intensity. For instance, "I agree to a degree" means partial agreement, while "I didn't expect it to happen "to this degree"" implies the event's intensity was unexpected.