such is life

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "such is life" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom often used to express acceptance of a particular situation or set of circumstances. For example: "I worked hard to get the job, but my application was rejected. Ah, well - such is life!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such is life, post-Sept.

The New York Times

Such is life in a Bears town.

The New York Times - Sports

Such is life for opponents these days.

The New York Times - Sports

Such is life for a Kennedy.

The New York Times

That is unfair, but such is life.

The Economist

Such is life hunting with the Seuberts.

The New York Times - Sports

Such is life in Afghanistan.

The New York Times - Magazine

Such is life at Spurs.

The Guardian - Sport

Such is life at Chelsea.

The Guardian - Sport

Such is life, but life moves on.

The Guardian - Film

"Such is life in a big city.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such is life" to express a philosophical acceptance of unfortunate or challenging situations. It is best used when you want to convey a sense of resignation without sounding overly negative or complaining.

Common error

Avoid using "such is life" too frequently, as it can make you seem passive or indifferent to important issues. Use it sparingly and only when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such is life" functions as an interjection or exclamatory expression, used to express acceptance or resignation in the face of misfortune or unavoidable circumstances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such is life" is a common phrase used to express acceptance or resignation when facing difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It functions as an interjection, conveying philosophical acceptance. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various situations. While alternatives like "that's life" or "c'est la vie" exist, this phrase offers a succinct way to acknowledge life's challenges with a sense of calm resignation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That's life

A shorter, more direct way of expressing the same sentiment.

C'est la vie

A French expression that carries the same meaning of accepting the inevitable.

It is what it is

Emphasizes the present state and the inability to change it.

That's the way it goes

Uses a more informal tone to express acceptance of a situation.

Que sera, sera

Expresses acceptance of the future and what will happen.

What can you do?

Implies resignation and a lack of options to change the situation.

It can't be helped

Focuses on the lack of control over the situation.

It is what it is, after all

Adds emphasis to the acceptance of the current state.

That's how the cookie crumbles

An idiomatic way of saying that things don't always go as planned.

It's just one of those things

Downplays the significance of the misfortune, suggesting it's a common occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "such is life" in a sentence?

You can use "such is life" to express acceptance of a difficult or unfortunate situation. For example, "I didn't get the promotion, but "such is life", I'll keep working hard".

What does "such is life" mean?

"Such is life" is an idiomatic expression used to convey a philosophical acceptance of the difficulties and misfortunes that are part of the human experience. It suggests a resigned acknowledgment that not everything goes as planned.

What are some alternatives to saying "such is life"?

Alternatives include "that's life", "c'est la vie", "it is what it is", or "that's the way it goes" depending on the context and desired tone.

Is "such is life" formal or informal?

"Such is life" is generally considered to be a neutral expression that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards informal due to its conversational nature.