such

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "such" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a certain quality, or to talk about a certain kind of thing. For example, "I'm so excited to experience such a historic event!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such fun.

The Guardian - Money

"Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours.

The New York Times

Such a development could pose a new threat to the isolated country's neighbours and the United States.

The Guardian

"We the undersigned are sick and tired of ITV and Channel 5 giving her airtime and want her banned from all tv shows on your channels such as This Morning and The Wright Stuff.

The Guardian

I did not think he could do such a thing".

The Guardian

It is believed to have launched a long-range rocket and put an object into orbit in December 2012, defying scepticism and international warnings not to pursue such a programme, which could be used to develop intercontinental missiles.

The Guardian

"History often vindicates those involved in such acts.

The Guardian

The palace source added: "It is the tradition now that after the general election the Queen is at Windsor until such a time as someone is able to form a new government.

The Guardian

Charities and the non-government sector welcomed elements of Bishop's proposals, such as the focus on female involvement and performance benchmarks, but raised concern over the need to ensure benefits from "aid for trade" flowed to the people in greatest need and reduced poverty.

The Guardian

Chief executives of companies such as Burberry, Tesco, Vodafone, BAE Systems, Prudential and GSK were keen to take a final opportunity to lobby the prime minister in advance of the meeting of political leaders in Northern Ireland.

The Guardian - Tech

It is understood that Ed Miliband regrets the suggestion was made and does not want the policy dispute between him and the former business secretary to include such allegations.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "such" to introduce examples, ensure the examples clearly illustrate the preceding statement. For instance, "Various factors contribute to climate change, such as deforestation and industrial emissions."

Common error

Avoid overusing "such" in formal writing, as it can sometimes sound redundant or vague. Replace it with more specific terms to enhance clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "such" is to act as a determiner, modifying nouns to indicate a specific type or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and usable word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such" functions primarily as a determiner to indicate a specific type or degree. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider more precise alternatives in highly formal or scientific writing. Remember to use "such as" to introduce examples that are part of a complete list, and be mindful of the subtle differences between "such as" and "like".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to this

Draws a direct comparison, indicating a resemblance in characteristics or qualities.

like that

Emphasizes similarity or resemblance to a previously mentioned item, action, or idea.

of that kind

Specifies a category or type to which something belongs, highlighting its characteristics.

particular

Highlights a specific instance or example.

of this nature

Highlights the inherent qualities or attributes of something.

in this way

Focuses on the manner or method in which something is done or occurs.

in that vein

Indicates continuation or consistency with a previously mentioned topic or style.

specified

Indicates that something has been clearly defined or identified.

aforementioned

Refers to something previously mentioned, often in formal or legal contexts.

to that extent

Indicates the degree or scope to which something applies.

FAQs

How can I use "such" in a sentence?

"Such" can be used as a determiner to indicate a type or degree, as in "I've never seen "such a beautiful sunset"". It can also be used as a pronoun, meaning "of that kind".

What's a good alternative to "such" in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using more specific terms. For example, instead of "such problems", try "these issues" or "specific challenges". Alternatives like "like that" or "of that kind" may also be appropriate, depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "such like"?

The phrase "such like" is generally considered informal and is not recommended for formal writing. Use "such as" instead to introduce examples.

What is the difference between "such as" and "like"?

"Such as" introduces examples that are part of a complete list, while "like" introduces examples that may not be exhaustive. For instance, "Fruits such as apples and bananas are healthy" implies a more complete list than "Fruits like apples and bananas are healthy".