words to the effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "words to the effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the exact wording is not being quoted, but the meaning is being conveyed. Example: "He said something to the effect that we should all work together to achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The journalist said words to the effect that 'You must be worried about the Newsnight investigation'.

The Guardian

The caller said words "to the effect that his son had been killed," Mr. Kelly said.

The New York Times

"Inexplicably, he then said words to the effect, 'don't move, everything will be fine'".

The Guardian

Often it will be words to the effect that the ticket "will become void if resold".

The Guardian - Money

"Nish said words to the effect that TC should remember her past.

Independent

"Sally said something to him... it was words to the effect of, 'Oh God Rob, I'm hit'.

The Guardian

"At 2.12am, Monis is heard saying words to the effect, 'you'll be alright, you will be fine'".

The Guardian

Words to the effect of "You diss us and come here and drink our free fucking booze!" were uttered.

The Guardian

Many of my annotations are words to the effect of: "No shit?" But the examples, naturally, are amusing.

The Guardian - Books

And, as I recall, my effort ended with words to the effect that the intelligence should follow on from here.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Diallo said "words to the effect of, 'Don't worry, this guy has a lot of money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "words to the effect" when you want to convey the general meaning of something said without quoting it verbatim, ensuring accuracy without strict adherence to the original phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "words to the effect" if you can accurately quote the original statement. This phrase implies approximation, so using it when a precise quote is available can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "words to the effect" functions as a discourse marker indicating that what follows is a paraphrase or approximation of someone's statement rather than a direct quote. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "words to the effect" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate that a statement is being paraphrased rather than quoted directly. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where accuracy is crucial but verbatim quotes are not always necessary. Using alternatives like "something along the lines of" or "essentially stating" can provide stylistic variation while maintaining clarity. Remember to avoid using the phrase when a precise quote is available to maintain credibility. The phrase appears in a variety of authoritative sources like The Guardian, The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something along the lines of

This alternative suggests an approximate statement, focusing on the general idea conveyed.

to that effect

This alternative is a shorter, more concise way of conveying a similar meaning.

in substance

This alternative highlights that the core meaning is the same, even if the exact wording differs.

essentially stating

This alternative focuses on the fundamental message that was conveyed.

the gist of it was

This alternative conveys the general idea or main point of what was said.

the general idea was

This alternative conveys that the overall concept is being summarized.

roughly translated as

This alternative is used when approximating the meaning of something said in another language.

it was akin to saying

This alternative suggests a comparison to a similar statement.

practically saying

This alternative highlights that although not directly stated, something was strongly implied.

the message was

This alternative emphasizes the overall communication rather than specific wording.

FAQs

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

You can use "words to the effect" to indicate that you are paraphrasing someone's statement rather than providing a direct quote. For example, "He said "something to the effect" that the project was behind schedule".

What can I say instead of "words to the effect"?

You can use alternatives like "something along the lines of", "essentially stating", or "to that effect", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "words to the effect"?

It's appropriate when you remember the general message but not the exact wording. It indicates that you are providing an approximation rather than a precise quotation.

Is there a more formal alternative to "words to the effect"?

For a more formal context, you could use "in substance" or "essentially stating". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but with a more professional tone.