Meaning & use
to that effect
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Used after reporting something to say that those were not the exact words, but the meaning was the same.
Grammar: A fixed phrase that comes after a reported statement: he said something to that effect.
Patterns
- say something to that effect
- a note to that effect
He told me he was leaving, or something to that effect.
The sign said no parking after six, or words to that effect.
She sent a message to that effect, but I have lost it.
Common combinations
- or words to that effect
- She said it was too late, or words to that effect.
- something to that effect
- He said something to that effect at the meeting.
- a letter to that effect
- We received a letter to that effect last week.
- a statement to that effect
- The company issued a statement to that effect.
Synonyms and how they differ
- more or less
- More or less is a looser phrase for roughly, and it does not stress that you are paraphrasing someone's words.
- in effect
- In effect means in practice, while to that effect refers back to the meaning of something said.
- in that vein
- In that vein means in a similar style or manner and is used more for ideas than for reported speech.
Word family
Commonly confused: to that effect or affect?
to that effect vs affect
Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence. The noun effect is the word used in this phrase.
Practice
I don't remember his exact words, but he said something ___, that he would be late.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'to that effect' meaning with that meaning. The other prepositions are not used in this expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “to that effect”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.