Such nerve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Such nerve" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express surprise or indignation at someone's audacity or boldness. Example: "She had such nerve to ask for a raise after being late every day." Alternative expressions include "What gall" and "Such audacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Atropine is highly effective at blocking such nerve agents as sarin and VX, both of which Iraq has acknowledged having made and stockpiled.

The New York Times

Not all of "American VI" has such nerve, which was more common on the earliest releases in the series.

The New York Times

We may choose to forgive such nerve when we consider that millennials were trained to aim high and excel in education, with the promise that their achievements would equate to a secure job and a decent income.

The Guardian

After college, she travelled widely — twice around the world, and up so many Alps, displaying such nerve in apocalyptic conditions ("You set your teeth and battle with the fates") — as to earn the veneration of her guides.

The New Yorker

The conventional approach taken for such nerve modulation is to apply continuous electrical stimulation; this does not affect only the relevant nerve cells, however, and can lead to pain and off-target effects3.

Nature

Russia denies that it ever researched or manufactured such nerve agents, but it arrested a former Soviet weapons scientist on charges of divulging state secrets after he published details about Soviet Novichok production in newspaper articles and a memoir.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Such nerve-shattering finishes are becoming an England habit.

The New York Times - Sports

On such nerve-shredding days, these things give off the dreaded scent of ill fate.

The Guardian - Sport

Very few people expected Raúl Jiménez and Andros Townsend to figure in such nerve-racking games.

The New York Times - Sports

"Such nerves!" exclaimed Guenter Gadaschewski of the West Berlin police.

The New York Times

His younger teammate showed no such nerves with a flawless performance under dark skies at the same Rio Whitewater Stadium.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific or medical writing, ensure "Such nerve" refers back to a specific antecedent (e.g., the optic nerve) to maintain anatomical precision.

Common error

Avoid using "Such nerve" in medical contexts unless you have clearly identified the specific biological nerve in the previous sentence. Without a clear antecedent, a scientific reader might mistake your anatomical description for a comment on the subject's behavior.

Linguistic Context

In most contexts, "Such nerve" acts as a noun phrase preceded by the intensifier "such". It can function as an object in a sentence (e.g., "displaying such nerve") or as an independent exclamatory fragment. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to highlight either a singular anatomical feature in scientific texts or a singular character trait in narrative writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Reference

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "Such nerve" is a versatile and grammatically correct English phrase used primarily in two distinct domains. As highlighted by Ludwig, its idiomatic use to express indignation at someone's audacity is prevalent in literary and media contexts, while its literal use for anatomical identification is standard in scientific literature. Whether you are describing a bad breakup in The New York Times or nerve agents in Britannica, the phrase effectively intensifies the noun "nerve". When writing, ensure the context clearly dictates whether you are referring to a person's bold character or a physical biological structure to avoid any unintended ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What a nerve

Uses the indefinite article to highlight a specific instance of boldness.

What audacity

More formal and focused on the boldness of an action.

Such gall

More informal and emphasizes the bitterness or rudeness of someone's behavior.

Such nerves

Plural form often used to describe a state of anxiety or biological structures.

The cheek

A British-leaning idiom that is slightly more playful but still indignant.

Unmitigated gall

A stronger, more emphatic version used for extreme rudeness.

Pure effrontery

A high-register, formal way to describe shameless boldness.

Such chutzpah

Borrowed from Yiddish, emphasizing a mix of supreme self-confidence and audacity.

Incredible boldness

A more literal and descriptive alternative without the idiomatic weight.

Remarkable guts

More positive, emphasizing bravery rather than rudeness.

FAQs

How to use "Such nerve" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone exclamation or within a sentence like, "She had <a href="/s/such+nerve" target="_blank" rel="alternative">such nerve to show up uninvited."

What can I say instead of "Such nerve"?

Common alternatives include "<a href="/s/what+audacity" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what audacity", "<a href="/s/such+gall" target="_blank" rel="alternative">such gall", or "<a href="/s/the+cheek" target="_blank" rel="alternative">the cheek".

Is "Such nerve" or "Such nerves" correct?

Both are correct but have different meanings. Use "<a href="/s/such+nerve" target="_blank" rel="alternative">such nerve" for audacity and "<a href="/s/such+nerves" target="_blank" rel="alternative">such nerves" for anxiety or biological structures.

What's the difference between "Such nerve" and "What a nerve"?

While both express indignation, "<a href="/s/what+a+nerve" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what a nerve" is often more common in British English, whereas "<a href="/s/such+nerve" target="_blank" rel="alternative">such nerve" functions effectively in both US and UK dialects.