was of that sort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was of that sort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that belongs to a particular category or type. Example: "The book he recommended was of that sort that captivates readers from the first page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He understood the Nazis, he said, because he was "of that sort by nature".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I have always understood the Nazis," Golding said, "because I am of that sort by nature".

The New York Times - Books

I think a lot of moral codes are of that sort.

Journal of Organization Design

And so the user experience has to be of that sort of quality.

BBC

She was cognizant of that sort of managerial thing".

The New Yorker

In my case, there was nothing of that sort.

The Guardian - Music

He was above that sort of thing.

The Guardian

He was past that sort of thing.

The New Yorker

It was not that sort of game.

The Guardian - Sport

Korea was certainly that sort of war.

Forbes

"Most of them are above that sort of thing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was of that sort" when you want to indicate that something belongs to a specific category or shares particular characteristics with something else.

Common error

Avoid using "was of that sort" too frequently in your writing, as it can sound repetitive. Try varying your language with synonyms like "was of that kind" or "was similar to that" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was of that sort" functions as a descriptive qualifier, positioning something within a defined category or aligning it with a particular characteristic. Ludwig confirms this, showing its use in describing inherent qualities or managerial styles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was of that sort" is a descriptive term used to categorize something or someone based on shared characteristics. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While synonyms like "was of that kind" and "was like that" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Its neutral register makes it suitable for professional and news contexts, though overuse should be avoided to maintain writing clarity and reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was of that kind

Replaces "sort" with "kind", maintaining a similar meaning.

was of that nature

Substitutes "sort" with "nature", emphasizing the inherent characteristics.

was that type of

Uses "type" instead of "sort", indicating a category or class.

belonged to that category

More explicitly states that something fits into a particular group.

was like that

Simplifies the phrase to indicate similarity or resemblance.

fit that description

Indicates that something matches a given explanation or profile.

was in that vein

Implies a similarity in style, manner, or approach.

was along those lines

Suggests a general similarity without being exact.

was consistent with that

Emphasizes agreement or alignment with a prior statement or expectation.

was of similar ilk

Uses "ilk" to indicate similarity in character or quality.

FAQs

What does "was of that sort" mean?

The phrase "was of that sort" means that something belongs to a particular category, type, or kind. It suggests that it shares similar characteristics with something already mentioned or understood.

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

You can use "was of that sort" to describe something that fits a certain pattern or expectation. For example: "The book he recommended "was of that sort" that captivates readers from the first page."

What can I say instead of "was of that sort"?

You can use alternatives like "was of that kind", "was like that", or "was of that nature" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was of that sort" or "was that sort of"?

"Was of that sort" and "was that sort of" are both grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was of that sort" emphasizes belonging to a category, while "was that sort of" describes a particular instance. The better choice depends on the intended meaning.