The correct expression is to that effect. It means something has roughly the same meaning as an earlier statement, although the exact words may differ. You can use it when summarizing a conversation or referring to a message.
Affect is valid, but it normally means to influence or change something. It does not replace effect in this expression.
Quick Answer
Use to that effect, not to that affect, when you mean “with that general meaning” or “in similar words.”
Correct: Maya said the deadline might move, or something to that effect.
Incorrect: Maya said the deadline might move, or something to that affect.
Use affect separately when you need a verb meaning “influence”: The delay may affect our launch date.
Why People Confuse Them
The words affect and effect look alike, share the same stressed syllable, and often sound very similar in American speech. Their meanings also seem related.
Affect commonly describes the action of influencing something. Effect commonly names a result, impression, or meaning. In to that effect, the word refers to the general sense of a message, so effect is correct.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Giving the general meaning of what someone said or wrote | to that effect | It is the established expression for an approximate report. |
| Saying one thing influences another | affect | It commonly functions as a verb meaning influence or change. |
| Referring to a note, statement, or message with similar meaning | to that effect | The expression points back to the meaning of the communication. |
| Describing observable emotion in a clinical context | affect | It can be a specialized noun, but not in the expression. |
Compact comparison:
- to that effect: a phrase meaning “with that general meaning.”
- affect: usually a verb meaning “to influence or cause a change in.”
Meaning and Usage Difference
To that effect shows that you are giving the gist rather than the exact wording. It often appears with words, something, statement, note, or message.
“He sent a note to that effect” means the note communicated the idea already mentioned. “She said something to that effect” means the summary is accurate even if her wording differed.
Affect usually works as a transitive verb, so it takes an object. In “The new policy will affect contractors,” the policy influences contractors.
One choice reports approximate meaning; the other describes influence.
Tone, Context, and Formality
To that effect sounds neutral to mildly formal. It fits workplace emails, reports, meeting summaries, and careful conversation. In casual speech, something along those lines may sound more relaxed.
The phrase also signals that the wording is not exact. Avoid it when a precise quotation, contract term, or instruction matters.
Affect is neutral and common. Its specialized noun sense, referring to outward emotional expression, mainly appears in psychology and clinical writing.
Which One Should You Use?
Choose to that effect when you refer back to an idea, statement, or instruction and mean that it had roughly the meaning already described.
Choose affect when the sentence needs an action word meaning influence, alter, or cause a change.
Try a replacement test. If “with that general meaning” fits, use to that effect. If “influence” fits, use affect.
“She gave an answer with that general meaning” becomes “She gave an answer to that effect.”
“The schedule may influence attendance” becomes “The schedule may affect attendance.”
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
Affect sounds wrong after something to that, words to that, or a statement to that because these structures call for the established expression.
“The manager said something to that affect” is not standard. The sentence reports the manager’s meaning; it does not describe influence.
By contrast, to that effect cannot act as a normal verb. Write “The weather will affect attendance,” not “The weather will to that effect attendance.”
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
Mistake 1: Choosing the familiar verb.
Incorrect: I remember words to that affect.
Fix: I remember words to that effect.
Mistake 2: Using the phrase for an exact quotation.
Use it only when the wording is approximate. If the words are exact, quote them directly.
Mistake 3: Applying the noun-and-verb shortcut without exceptions.
Effect can be a formal verb meaning “bring about,” and affect can be a specialized noun. Neither exception changes the correct expression.
Mistake 4: Giving the phrase no clear reference.
Unclear: He sent an email to that effect.
Clearer: We requested an extension, and he sent an email approving it to that effect.
Everyday Examples
During the meeting, Jordan said the budget would probably stay the same, or words to that effect.
The school sent families a notice to that effect.
I do not remember her exact reply, but it was something to the effect of “Let’s discuss it Monday.”
The contract includes a clause to that effect.
Traffic could affect how many guests arrive on time.
A price change may affect customer demand.
The movie deeply affected everyone in the room.
Her calm affect did not reveal how worried she felt.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
to that effect: Not a verb. It is a phrase referring to the general meaning of a statement or message.
affect: Commonly a transitive verb meaning to influence or produce a change. It can also mean to pretend or adopt a manner: “He affected a confident tone.”
Noun
to that effect: The full expression is a phrase. Within it, effect is a noun connected with meaning, sense, or intended message.
affect: A specialized noun for observable emotional expression. In this role, it is pronounced AF-ekt. The common verb is pronounced uh-FEKT.
Synonyms
to that effect: Closest plain alternatives include with that general meaning, along those lines, in similar terms, and roughly the same idea.
affect: Meaning-matched alternatives include influence, alter, change, and sometimes sway, depending on context.
Example Sentences
to that effect: The board issued a statement to that effect. I cannot recall his exact words, but he said something to that effect.
affect: Higher shipping costs may affect small businesses. The ending affected her more deeply than expected.
Word History
to that effect: The expression uses a sense of effect connected with meaning, purpose, or what a statement conveys. A precise first date for the complete phrase is unclear and unnecessary for correct use.
affect: The word came through Latin forms connected with acting on or influencing. Affect and effect have related histories, but they have different common roles in modern English.
Phrases Containing
to that effect: words to that effect, something to that effect, a statement to that effect, a note to that effect, and to the effect that.
affect: affect the outcome, affect performance, deeply affect, adversely affect, and directly affect.
FAQs
Is it “to that effect” or “to that affect”?
The correct phrase is to that effect. It means that something has the same general meaning as a previous statement, although the exact wording may be different. For example: “She said the meeting might be canceled, or something to that effect.” To that affect is incorrect in this context.
What does “to that effect” mean?
To that effect means “with that general meaning” or “expressing a similar idea.” People often use it when they remember the main message but cannot recall the exact words. It can refer to spoken comments, written notices, emails, statements, or instructions.
How do you use “something to that effect” in a sentence?
Use it after summarizing what someone said or wrote. For example: “The manager said we should expect delays, or something to that effect.” The phrase shows that your summary is accurate, but it may not repeat the speaker’s exact wording.
Why is “affect” incorrect in this phrase?
Affect is usually a verb meaning “to influence” or “to cause a change.” For example: “The weather may affect attendance.” In the phrase to that effect, the sentence needs the noun effect, which refers to meaning, sense, or intended message.
Is “to that effect” formal?
The phrase is neutral to mildly formal. It works well in workplace communication, reports, emails, meetings, and professional conversations. In casual speech, people may instead say something like that, along those lines, or roughly the same thing.
Can “effect” ever be used as a verb?
Yes. Effect can be a formal verb meaning “to bring about” or “to cause something to happen,” as in “The new director hopes to effect major changes.” However, this less common verb use does not change the correct phrase. You should still write to that effect, never to that affect.
Conclusion
Use to that effect when giving the general meaning of something without repeating the exact words. The expression is fixed in standard American English.
Use affect when you mean influence or cause a change. A statement can be to that effect, while a decision can affect the result.
