of such things as

USAGE SUMMARY

"of such things as" is a phrase that is commonly used in written English and is grammatically correct.
It is generally used to introduce a list of items that are examples of a concept. For example, "The store sells a variety of items, of such things as books, clothes, and home goods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There might be a code on a magazine you need to know though, so take note of such things as well.

WikiHow

That may be true of such things as skydiving or buying a couture dress.

The New York Times

There he shared the student diet, which consisted of such things as ogusi soup, pawpaw & fufu.

The New Yorker

That figure, which includes rentals and sales of such things as exercise videos, flatters Hollywood.

The Economist

It speaks of such things as the "Way of Heaven," motion, spiritual beings, and religious sacrifices.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the rest of mankind have not dreamed of such things as yet.

The New York Times - Books

This has led to a good understanding of such things as complex homomorphisms and ideals (but not subalgebras) when the underlying metric space is compact.

Journal of Functional Analysis

He spoke at length of such things as mobile laboratories that were being used to cook up lethal bugs.

The Economist

Being "digital natives" has helped them overtake older candidates in jobs where understanding of such things as social media helps.

The Economist

It flies at twice the height of a commercial jet, affording pilots views of such things as the earth's curvature.

The New York Times

The second is a "desire of such things as are necessary for commodious living". Those are all the sorts of things that we just talked about.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using a more concise alternative like "such as" if brevity is preferred and the context is less formal. However, "of such things as" can add emphasis to the list that follows.

Common error

Avoid using "of such things as" in very informal settings like casual emails or conversations, where a simpler phrase like "such as" or "like" is more appropriate. Using "of such things as" too often can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

Function: The phrase "of such things as" acts as an introductory phrase that precedes a list of examples, specifying components or elements of a broader category. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "of such things as" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to introduce examples. It functions to clarify broader categories, fitting a neutral to professional register. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted, though simpler alternatives like "such as" may be preferred in informal contexts. Its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its reliability in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such as

A more concise and direct alternative, omitting "of things" for brevity.

including things like

Replaces "of such things as" with a more informal tone, using "including" to introduce examples.

like

An informal and simple way to list examples.

for example

Introduces a specific instance, similar in function but less comprehensive.

namely

Used to specify items directly, often in a more formal setting.

to include

Highlights the inclusion of certain items in a list or category.

comprising examples such as

A more verbose option that emphasizes the composition of a category.

consisting of elements such as

Similar to 'comprising', but with an emphasis on the constituent elements.

incorporating items such as

Focuses on the incorporation of items into a larger whole.

featuring elements such as

Highlights specific elements that are notable or prominent.

FAQs

How can I use "of such things as" in a sentence?

Use "of such things as" to introduce a list of examples that clarify a broader category. For instance, "The curriculum covers various topics, of such things as history, science, and literature."

What phrases are similar to "of such things as"?

Alternatives include "such as", "including", and "for example". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "of such things as" formal or informal?

"Of such things as" leans towards the formal side. In more casual contexts, consider using "like" or "such as" instead.

When is it best to use "of such things as" over other options?

Use "of such things as" when you want to emphasize the list of items or provide a more formal tone. In situations where brevity is important, "such as" might be a better fit.