That’s right
How to Use “That’s Right” Naturally in English
One of the biggest challenges in learning English is that some phrases don’t translate neatly across languages. A good example is “That’s right”.
Many learners are taught this phrase early on, but then wonder why it sometimes sounds perfectly natural, while in other situations it might be the best choice.
In this post, we’ll look at when “That’s right” works well, when it doesn’t, and what alternatives you can use to sound more natural.
Why “That’s right” can be tricky
In English, agreement is expressed in different ways depending on the situation.
- Confirming facts
- Agreeing with opinions
- Reacting to everyday observations
When “That’s right” is natural
1. Confirming information
A: “You studied at Tokyo University, didn’t you?”
B: “That’s right.”
A: “The meeting was moved to 3 pm, wasn’t it?”
B: “That’s right.”
Here, the speaker is checking a fact. Using “That’s right” is the most natural and accurate response.
2. Strong agreement with an opinion
A: “I think companies should invest more in employee training.”
B: “That’s right. It benefits everyone in the long run.”
A: “This government policy is really unfair to small businesses.”
B: “That’s right, and it’s getting worse every year.”
Here, “That’s right” carries weight and signals strong support. When agreeing to opinions of a more serious nature, it’s fine to use.
When another expression works better
1. Everyday observations
A: “It’s cold today.”
B: “That’s right.” ❌ (sounds odd)
Better options:
- “It really is!”
- “Yeah, it sure is!”
Weather and similar observations aren’t about being “right” or “wrong” even if it’s technically correct. They’re shared experiences, so other choices sound more natural.
2. Personal experiences or opinions
A: “That movie was really good.”
B: “That’s right.” ❌ (too stiff)
Better options:
- “I thought so too.”
- “Yeah, I enjoyed it.”
- “It was really good.”
- “I agree.”
When the focus is expressing opinion on light matters, go for other phrases.
Key takeaway
“That’s right” is a valuable tool, but it’s not universal. To sound more natural in English conversations, match your response to the situation:
- Facts and checks → “That’s right” (nothing more is needed)
- Strong opinions → “That’s right” + expansion
- Observations → “It really is!” / “Yeah, it sure is!”
- Personal opinions → “I thought so too.” / “I agree.”
By learning when to use “That’s right”—and when not to—you’ll avoid sounding robotic and instead come across as a confident, natural English speaker.