People search “to that effect or affect” because the two words sound almost identical and the broader affect/effect mix-up is one of English’s most common traps. The question is straightforward: which form belongs in the fixed phrase, and why does the other one never work?
This guide gives you the direct answer, shows how the phrase functions in real writing and speech, explains the underlying grammar without jargon overload, and supplies practical tools so you can choose correctly every time. You will leave knowing exactly when and how to use the expression, how it differs from ordinary uses of “affect” and “effect,” and how to avoid the mistakes that still appear in emails, reports, and student papers.
That Effect or Affect Quick Answer
The correct phrase is “to that effect.”
“To that affect” is never standard English in this construction.
Meaning: “with that meaning,” “something similar,” or “words conveying roughly the same idea.”
Examples:
- She said she needed more time, or words to that effect.
- The manager issued a memo to that effect.
- He made comments to the effect that the project would be delayed.
Memory tip: Effect = result or meaning. The phrase talks about the meaning of what was said, so it takes “effect.”
What “To That Effect” Actually Means
“To that effect” (and its close variant “to the effect that”) is an idiomatic phrase used when you report the general sense of someone’s words without quoting them exactly. It signals that you are giving the substance or intention, not a word-for-word transcript.
Cambridge Dictionary defines it as a way “to express that what you are reporting is only a short and general form of what was really said.” Merriam-Webster and Dictionary.com align with this: the phrase indicates that the meaning is roughly accurate even if the exact wording is not.
Writers and speakers reach for it in situations where precision of quotation is unnecessary or impossible—meeting notes, news summaries, second-hand accounts, or legal and business paraphrases. It adds a layer of caution: “This is the idea, not necessarily the precise language.”
Why the Phrase Matters
Using the phrase correctly does two things at once. First, it keeps your writing accurate and professional. Second, it protects you from over-claiming. When you write “or words to that effect,” you openly acknowledge that memory or summary may not be perfect. That small honesty builds credibility in academic papers, workplace reports, journalism, and everyday conversation.
Affect vs Effect: The Core Distinction That Causes the Confusion
Most people who write “to that affect” are carrying over the larger affect/effect problem. Understanding the everyday roles of the two words removes the temptation to swap them inside the fixed phrase.
| Word | Most Common Role | Core Meaning | Example |
| Affect | Verb | To influence or change | The weather can affect your mood. |
| Effect | Noun | Result, outcome, or meaning | The new policy had a positive effect. |
| Effect | Verb (less common) | To bring about or accomplish | The reforms effected real change. |
| Affect | Noun (specialized) | Observable emotional state (psychology) | The patient displayed a flat affect. |
In the phrase “to that effect,” the word is the noun meaning “result” or “intended meaning.” Substituting the verb “affect” breaks the idiom.
Quick Decision Framework
Ask yourself one question:
Am I talking about influence/change, or about meaning/result?
- Influence or change → use affect (verb).
- Meaning, result, or summary of words → use effect (and in this specific case, “to that effect”).
If the sentence involves reporting or paraphrasing speech, the answer is almost always “to that effect.”
How to Use “To That Effect” Correctly
The phrase is flexible in placement but consistent in purpose.
Common patterns:
- … or words/something to that effect.
- … a statement/memo/letter to that effect.
- … comments to the effect that + clause.
Real-World Examples Across Contexts
Workplace email
“The director confirmed that remote work will continue through the quarter, or words to that effect.”
Meeting notes
“Several team members raised concerns about the timeline and suggested an extension—comments to that effect were recorded.”
Academic writing
“The author argues that early intervention improves outcomes, or something to that effect.”
News summary
“The spokesperson said the company had no plans to raise prices, or words to that effect.”
Everyday conversation
“She told me she might move next year—something to that effect.”
Legal or formal notice
“The board passed a resolution to that effect.”
Notice that the phrase never appears inside a direct quotation. If you have the exact words, quote them. Use “to that effect” only when you are summarizing.
Related Forms and Close Variants
- To the effect that – introduces a clause: “He said something to the effect that the deadline was flexible.”
- Words to that effect – the most frequent everyday version.
- Something to that effect – slightly more casual.
- A notice/statement/memo to that effect – common in official writing.
All of these keep the noun “effect.” None accept “affect.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Writing “to that affect”
Wrong: He said something to that affect.
Right: He said something to that effect.
Why it happens: Sound-alike confusion plus the broader affect/effect mix-up.
Fix: Memorize the phrase as a fixed unit that always uses “effect.”
Mistake 2: Using the phrase with a direct quote
Wrong: She said, to that effect, “I resign.”
Right: She said, “I resign,” or words to that effect.
Why it happens: Writers treat the phrase as a general intensifier.
Fix: Reserve it for paraphrase only.
Mistake 3: Overusing the phrase in formal writing
Heavy reliance can make prose sound vague. Prefer clearer alternatives when precision matters: “meaning that…,” “indicating that…,” or a short direct paraphrase.
Mistake 4: Confusing the specialized noun “affect”
In psychology, “affect” (stress on the first syllable) means emotional expression. That specialized use never appears in the phrase “to that effect.”
Memory Tips That Stick
- Effect = End result or meaning. The phrase is about the meaning of the words, so effect fits.
- RAVEN reminder (for the broader pair): Remember Affect Verb, Effect Noun.
- Picture the phrase as a label on a package: the label describes the effect (what the package means), not the action of affecting it.
- Say the full common collocation out loud: “words to that effect.” The rhythm makes the wrong version feel awkward.
Expert Writing Tips
Professional editors and style-conscious writers treat “to that effect” as a useful but limited tool. Use it when exact wording is unavailable or unimportant. In high-stakes documents (contracts, research papers, official statements), prefer either a precise quotation or a tighter paraphrase that removes any ambiguity.
In business communication, the phrase softens second-hand reporting and protects the writer from claims of misquotation. In academic work it signals intellectual honesty about sources. In journalism it is standard for summarizing official statements.
Avoid stacking the phrase with other hedges (“sort of,” “kind of,” “basically”). One clear signal is enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “to that affect” ever correct?
No. In standard American and British English the fixed phrase always uses “effect.”
What does “to that effect” mean in simple terms?
It means “with that general meaning” or “something similar to what was said.”
Is there a difference between “to that effect” and “to the effect that”?
Very little. “To the effect that” usually introduces a clause; “to that effect” often stands alone or follows “words/something.”
Can “affect” ever appear near this phrase correctly?
Yes, but in a different grammatical role: “The news did not affect her decision; she issued a statement to that effect.”
Does the phrase work the same in British and American English?
Yes. Both varieties use “to that effect.”
Is “words to that effect” formal or informal?
It sits comfortably in both registers, though it appears more often in spoken English and informal writing.
Can I use it for actions, not just speech?
Primarily for speech or written statements. For actions, other constructions are clearer (“with that intention,” “to that end”).
What are good alternatives if I want to avoid the phrase?
“Meaning that…,” “along those lines,” “indicating that…,” or a short direct summary.
Why do so many people get this wrong?
Because “affect” and “effect” are classic homophones (or near-homophones) and English learners and native speakers alike struggle with the pair.
Does spell-check catch “to that affect”?
Often not, because both words are correctly spelled in isolation. Human review or a style guide is still required.
Key Takeaways
- The only correct form is to that effect.
- It means “with that meaning” or “words conveying roughly the same idea.”
- It belongs in paraphrase, not direct quotation.
- The confusion stems from the larger affect (verb) / effect (noun) distinction.
- A simple test—meaning/result versus influence—solves nearly every case.
References
- Cambridge Dictionary, “to that effect”
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “to that effect” and “effect”
- Dictionary.com, “to that effect”
Conclusion
The phrase “to that effect” is a small but precise tool for honest summary. Once you lock in that it always takes “effect,” the larger affect/effect problem becomes easier to manage as well. Next time you need to report the general sense of what someone said, reach for the correct form with confidence. One reliable choice removes an entire category of avoidable errors.
I’m Michael Anderson, a comparison researcher and content writer at Comparinex. I’m passionate about researching different options and explaining the differences that matter most to readers. I believe that having the right information makes it much easier to compare choices and select an option with confidence.
My writing focuses on clear explanations, practical comparisons, and reader-focused research. I take time to examine important details so that readers can quickly understand what makes one option different from another.
I’m also the author of The Complete Guide to Comparing Options and Better Decisions Through Better Research. At Comparinex, I use my research and writing experience to create helpful content designed to make comparison-based decisions simpler.
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