Such as

USAGE SUMMARY

"such as" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to list a few examples of something previously mentioned. For example, "I enjoy outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing, and hiking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such as: why?

The New York Times - Arts

Such as?

The New York Times

Such as? "Such as [Alan] Shearer.

Independent

Such as what?

Forbes

Such as Parcells.

The New Yorker

Such as? "Palestine, maybe".

The Economist

Such as bananas.

Independent

Such as? A. NBC.

The New York Times

Such as? "Ticket pricing.

Independent

Such as? "Whale.

The New Yorker

Such as? "Skiing.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such as" to introduce non-exhaustive examples. If the list is complete, consider using "including" or "and".

Common error

Avoid using "such as" when you intend to list all items in a category. Use it only to provide a few representative examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such as" functions as a preposition, introducing examples to clarify or elaborate on a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English sentences. Examples show it connecting a general category to specific instances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such as" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to introduce examples and clarify general statements. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. While suitable for various contexts, it's important to use it for non-exhaustive lists. Alternatives like "for example" or "including" can be used based on the intended meaning. It appears most frequently in news, media and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for example

This alternative is a direct synonym, offering the same function of introducing examples.

for instance

Similar to "for example", it provides a way to introduce a specific case.

e.g.

Abbreviation for "exempli gratia", used to provide examples in a concise manner.

like

This is a more informal synonym for introducing examples or types.

including

This phrase introduces items that are part of a larger group.

such as those

Specifies a group of items by referring to others of the same kind.

in particular

Highlights specific examples from a broader category.

namely

Used to specify or identify more precisely.

as an illustration

Introduces an example to clarify a previous statement.

to illustrate

Functions similarly to "as an illustration" but is more concise.

FAQs

How do I use "such as" in a sentence?

"Such as" introduces examples of something. For instance, "I enjoy fruits, "such as apples" and bananas."

What's the difference between "such as" and "including"?

"Such as" provides examples, while "including" suggests a partial but potentially more comprehensive list. "I like fruits, "such as apples"" implies there are other fruits I like. "I like fruits, "including apples"" suggests apples are part of the group of fruits I like, but the list may or may not be complete.

Can I use "such as" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "such as" is uncommon and often stylistically awkward. It's better to rephrase the sentence to place "such as" within it.

What can I use instead of "such as" to provide examples?

You can use alternatives like "for example", "for instance", or "like" depending on the context.