such a

USAGE SUMMARY

"such a" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize a noun or pronoun that follows. For example: "He is such a kind person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm such a champion".

The New Yorker

Such a good man.

The New York Times - Sports

"Such a kind face".

The New York Times - Books

Such a treat.

The New Yorker

Such a snob.

The New York Times

Such a good profession.

The New Yorker

I'm such a giver.

Independent

At such a time?

The New Yorker

Such a lovely face.

Independent

Such a small screen.

The New Yorker

"It's such a landmark.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a" to emphasize a quality or characteristic, making your descriptions more vivid. For example, instead of saying "It was a good movie", say "It was such a good movie".

Common error

Avoid using "such a" before non-count nouns. It's grammatically incorrect to say "such a water" or "such a happiness". Instead, use "such" followed directly by the non-count noun, like "such water" or "such happiness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a" functions as an intensifier used before a singular, countable noun. Ludwig's examples show it expressing surprise, admiration, or emphasis regarding the noun that follows. The phrase adds emotional weight to the description.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such a" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize a quality or characteristic of a singular, countable noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, predominantly in news and media. While it is appropriate in most contexts, avoiding its use before non-count nouns is crucial. Consider alternatives like "so" or "very" when appropriate. The high frequency and authoritative sources demonstrate its established place in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so

This is a shorter, more direct way to express a similar degree of emphasis.

that

This phrase is used to emphasize a quality or attribute, often with a slightly different grammatical structure.

very

This intensifier is used before adjectives to strengthen their meaning.

quite

This adverb indicates a degree, similar to "such", but often implies a slightly lesser intensity.

remarkably

This adverb emphasizes how surprising or impressive something is.

exceptionally

This adverb is used to highlight that something is beyond the norm.

extraordinarily

This adverb suggests an even greater degree of impressiveness.

incredibly

This adverb indicates that something is hard to believe because it is so good or impressive.

particularly

This adverb indicates a specific focus on something.

especially

Similar to 'particularly', this adverb emphasizes something that stands out.

FAQs

How do you properly use "such a" in a sentence?

"Such a" is used before a singular, countable noun to express emphasis or surprise. For example, "It's "such a beautiful day"!"

What words or phrases can replace "such a" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can use "so", "very", or "that" to replace "such a". For example, instead of "He's such a nice guy", you could say "He's "so nice"" or "He's a "very nice guy"".

Is it correct to use "such a" before plural nouns?

No, "such a" is used before singular countable nouns. For plural nouns, use "such" without the "a". For example, say "such beautiful flowers" instead of "such a beautiful flowers".

What's the difference between using "such a" and "so"?

"Such a" is followed by a noun phrase (adjective + noun), while "so" is followed by an adjective or adverb. For instance, "It was "such a long day"" (noun phrase) versus "The day was "so long"" (adjective).