The correct phrase is to that effect, not to that affect.

Use to that effect when you mean “with that general meaning,” “along those lines,” or “saying roughly that idea.”

Example:
She said the meeting might move to Friday, or words to that effect.

The confusion happens because effect and affect look similar and sound almost the same. But in this phrase, effect is the right word.

Quick Answer

Use to that effect.

Do not write to that affect in standard English.

Correct: He made a comment to that effect.
Incorrect: He made a comment to that affect.

In this phrase, effect means the general meaning, result, or idea of what was said or written.

What Is Correct?

To that effect is correct.

It means that something has the same basic meaning as what you are reporting, even if you are not using the exact words.

Examples:

• She said she was unhappy, or something to that effect.
• The memo said the policy would change, or words to that effect.
• He gave a statement to that effect during the call.

The word affect does not fit this phrase because affect is usually a verb meaning “to influence.”

The Core Grammar Rule

The phrase is built around the noun effect.

In to that effect, the word effect means something like “meaning,” “result,” or “general idea.”

The pattern is:

Form or Pattern	Best Use	Why
to that effect	Correct phrase	Uses effect as a noun meaning general meaning or idea
to that affect	Incorrect phrase	Uses affect, which usually works as a verb
affect something	Correct in other sentences	Means to influence or change something
have an effect on something	Correct in other sentences	Means to have a result or impact

When Each Form Is Correct

“To that effect”

Use to that effect when you are summarizing what someone said, wrote, decided, or suggested.

Examples:

• The email said the deadline had moved, or something to that effect.
• My manager made a comment to that effect.
• The contract includes language to that effect.

“Affect”

Use affect when you mean “influence” or “change.”

Examples:

• The delay may affect our schedule.
• The new rule will affect all employees.
• Lack of sleep can affect your focus.

These are correct uses of affect, but they are not the phrase to that effect.

When It Is Incorrect or Less Natural

To that affect is incorrect in normal writing.

Do not use it in emails, reports, school papers, resumes, legal writing, or business documents.

Incorrect:

• She said something to that affect.
• The notice included wording to that affect.
• He made a statement to that affect.

Correct:

• She said something to that effect.
• The notice included wording to that effect.
• He made a statement to that effect.

Meaning, Structure, or Emphasis Differences

To that effect points back to an idea.

It does not mean that something influenced something else. It means the wording, statement, or message had that general meaning.

Compare:

• She said something to that effect.
  Meaning: She said something with that general meaning.
• The news affected her mood.
  Meaning: The news changed or influenced her mood.

The first sentence uses effect as part of a fixed phrase. The second uses affected as a verb.

Real-World Examples

• The HR email said we could work from home Friday, or something to that effect.
• He did not quote the rule exactly, but he said words to that effect.
• The lease has a section to that effect.
• Our teacher made a comment to that effect before the test.
• The company posted a notice to that effect on its website.
• I do not remember her exact words, but they were to that effect.

Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)

Mistake 1: Writing “to that affect”

Incorrect:
The email said something to that affect.

Correct:
The email said something to that effect.

Quick fix: If you mean “something like that,” use effect.

Mistake 2: Treating “effect” and “affect” as always simple

Most of the time, affect is a verb and effect is a noun. But both words have less common uses.

For this phrase, though, the answer stays simple: to that effect.

Mistake 3: Using the phrase when you mean “influence”

Incorrect:
The rain had to that effect on traffic.

Correct:
The rain had that effect on traffic.
Better:
The rain affected traffic.

Grammar Rule Details

Rule

Use to that effect when you mean “with that general meaning” or “along those lines.”

Correct Usage

Correct:

• She said something to that effect.
• He sent a message to that effect.
• The policy includes language to that effect.

Incorrect or Less Natural Usage

Incorrect:

• She said something to that affect.
• He sent a message to that affect.
• The policy includes language to that affect.

Examples

• I cannot remember the exact quote, but it was to that effect.
• The announcement said the office would close early, or words to that effect.
• The judge made a statement to that effect.

Common Mistakes

The main mistake is using affect because it sounds like effect.

Remember: affect usually shows action. Effect usually names a result, idea, or impact.

Exceptions

There are rare cases where affect can be a noun, especially in psychology, where it can refer to visible emotion or mood.

Example:
The patient showed a flat affect.

That exception does not make to that affect correct.

Quick Test

Replace the phrase with along those lines.

• She said something to that effect.
• She said something along those lines.

That works, so effect is correct.

Usage Notes

To that effect is common in both everyday and formal writing. It often appears with words like:

• something to that effect
• words to that effect
• a statement to that effect
• language to that effect
• to the effect that

FAQ

Is it “to that effect” or “to that affect”?

Use to that effect. To that affect is not correct in standard English.

What does “to that effect” mean?

It means “with that general meaning” or “along those lines.”

Is “something to that effect” correct?

Yes. It means the speaker is giving the general idea, not the exact words.

Why is “affect” wrong here?

Because affect usually works as a verb meaning “to influence.” The phrase needs the noun effect.

Can “effect” be a verb?

Yes, but it is less common. As a verb, effect can mean “bring about.” That does not change the phrase to that effect.

Can “affect” ever be a noun?

Yes, mainly in psychology. But that does not make to that affect correct.

Conclusion

The correct phrase is to that effect.

Use it when you mean “with that general meaning,” “something like that,” or “along those lines.”