De la sorte is a French adverbial phrase meaning “in this way,” “in that way,” “thus,” or “in such a manner.” It is used to refer to a manner, method or situation that has just been mentioned or that is understood from context. It is a phrase, not a single word, and it functions as an adverb in a sentence.

Literal and figurative meaning

The literal translation is “of the sort” or “of the manner.” De means “of” or “from,” la is the feminine definite article, and sorte is a feminine noun meaning “sort,” “kind” or “manner.” The figurative meaning, and the one used in practice, is “in this way” or “in that way.” There is no strong separation between the literal and figurative senses here, because the phrase means much the same in both readings: in the manner just described.

Grammar and use

De la sorte is an adverbial phrase, so it does not change form for gender or number. It usually refers to something already stated or implied. It often appears at the end of a sentence or clause, but it can also appear at the beginning, where it links back to the previous statement.

The phrase is slightly formal or literary in tone. In everyday speech, French speakers often prefer comme ça, ainsi or de cette façon.

Usage examples

• Il a agi de la sorte parce qu’il n’avait pas le choix. – “He acted in that way because he had no choice.”
• Si tu continues de la sorte, tu vas tomber malade. – “If you carry on like this, you will get sick.”
• De la sorte, tout le monde sera satisfait. – “In this way, everyone will be satisfied.”
• Elle a répondu de la sorte sans réfléchir. – “She answered in that way without thinking.”
• Nous avons procédé de la sorte pour gagner du temps. – “We proceeded in this way to save time.”
• Pourquoi parles-tu de la sorte à ton frère? – “Why do you speak to your brother in that way?”
• De la sorte, on évite les malentendus. – “In this way, misunderstandings are avoided.”
• Il n’aurait pas dû se comporter de la sorte. – “He should not have behaved in that way.”
• En agissant de la sorte, elle a perdu la confiance de ses collègues. – “By acting in that way, she lost her colleagues’ trust.”
• De la sorte, le problème serait réglé une fois pour toutes. – “In this way, the problem would be settled once and for all.”
• Je ne m’attendais pas à ce qu’il réagisse de la sorte. – “I did not expect him to react in that way.”
• Si les choses continuent de la sorte, nous devrons changer de plan. – “If things carry on like this, we will have to change the plan.”

Common patterns

De la sorte often follows verbs that describe action, speech or behaviour.

• Agir de la sorte – “To act in that way.”
• Parler de la sorte – “To speak in that way.”
• Répondre de la sorte – “To answer in that way.”
• Se comporter de la sorte – “To behave in that way.”
• Procéder de la sorte – “To proceed in this way.”
• Continuer de la sorte – “To carry on like this.”

It also appears in the fixed opening de la sorte que, meaning “in such a way that” or “so that.”

• Il a tout organisé de la sorte que personne ne soit surpris. – “He organised everything in such a way that no one would be surprised.”
• Elle a parlé de la sorte que tout le monde comprenne. – “She spoke in such a way that everyone would understand.”

Synonyms and alternative expressions

French alternatives:

• Ainsi – “Thus” or “so.”
• Ainsi donc – “Thus” or “therefore,” slightly more emphatic.
• Comme ceci – “Like this.”
• Comme cela – “Like that.”
• Comme ça – “Like that,” the most common in speech.
• De cette façon – “In this way.”
• De cette manière – “In this manner.”
• De cette sorte – “Of this sort,” close in meaning and slightly old-fashioned.
• Tellement – “So much” or “to such a degree,” only in some contexts.
• Ainsi que – “Just as” or “as well as,” different use.

English equivalents:

• “In such a way.”
• “In that manner.”
• “In this fashion.”
• “Like that.”
• “That way.”
• “Thus.”

Related forms

De la sorte belongs to a small family of expressions built on sorte.

• De sorte que – “So that” or “with the result that.”
• En quelque sorte – “In a way” or “so to speak.”
• Faire en sorte que – “To make sure that” or “to see to it that.”
• Une sorte de – “A kind of.”
• Toutes sortes de – “All kinds of.”
• De telle sorte que – “In such a way that.”

Note the difference between de la sorte and de sorte que. The first means “in this way” or “in that way.” The second introduces a result or purpose clause, meaning “so that.”

Register and tone

De la sorte is neutral to slightly formal. It suits written French, reports, essays and careful speech. In relaxed conversation, comme ça is far more common. Using de la sorte in casual talk can sound a little stiff, though it is never wrong.

Summary

De la sorte is a French adverbial phrase meaning “in this way,” “in that way” or “thus.” Its literal sense is “of the sort” or “of the manner.” It refers back to something already mentioned or understood. It is slightly formal, and its everyday equivalents include comme ça, ainsi and de cette façon. Related forms include de sorte que, en quelque sorte and faire en sorte que.