such was his

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "such was his" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a past action or state of being that is no longer true. For example, you could say, "He was once a successful businessman, but such was his fate that he eventually had to declare bankruptcy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such was his stature.

The Guardian

Such was his way.

The New York Times - Arts

Such was his sense of theatre.

The New Yorker

Such was his way that I did not even squirm.

The New York Times - Style

India found themselves powerless such was his dominance.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet such was his vanity that the penny never dropped.

Independent

Such was his lifelong commitment to revolutionary socialism.

The Guardian

Mr. Shorter testified that such was his understanding at the time the procedure was performed.

Harvard University

However, Cuvier persisted and such was his skill as an anatomist and showman that he triumphed.

The Guardian - Books

Such was his grip on power that only Erdoğan could have destroyed Erdoğan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such was his gift that some regarded it as a 'sense'sense

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such was his" to add a touch of formality or emphasis to a statement about someone's characteristic, action, or situation. Ensure the sentence continues logically, explaining the consequence or result of that quality.

Common error

Avoid using "such was his" in contexts where a simple declarative sentence would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound stilted or overly dramatic. Consider if the emphasis is truly necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such was his" functions as an introductory phrase, setting the stage for emphasizing a particular quality, characteristic, or situation pertaining to the subject. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it often precedes a noun that describes an attribute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such was his" is a versatile introductory phrase used to emphasize a particular characteristic or situation. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it functions primarily to introduce a significant consequence or result, with a tendency towards formal contexts like news articles and academic writing. While grammatically sound and frequently used, as validated by Ludwig, overuse can lead to a stilted tone. Related phrases offer alternative ways to convey similar emphasis. Overall, its effectiveness lies in its ability to add a touch of formality and highlight the importance of the attribute being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so remarkable was his

Inverts the phrase for emphasis, maintaining a similar tone.

his reputation was so great that

Highlights the reputation derived from his qualities or actions.

his influence was paramount

Emphasizes the extent of influence directly.

his skill was undeniable

Directly asserts the undebatable nature of his skill.

his quality was such that

Rephrases to highlight the quality first, using a more descriptive structure.

his dedication knew no bounds

Stresses the limitlessness of his dedication.

his impact was significant because

Focuses on the impact as a result of an implied quality.

the extent of his ability was

Highlights the 'extent' of his ability in a formal way.

he commanded such

Highlights the control or influence he exerted.

he possessed such

Similar to 'he commanded' but emphasizes his inherent possession of the quality.

FAQs

How can I use "such was his" in a sentence?

Use "such was his" to emphasize a quality or situation, followed by a consequence or result. For example, "Such was his dedication that he edited manuscripts from a hospital bed."

What does "such was his" mean?

It means "so great was his" or "to such a degree was his", used to emphasize a particular quality or characteristic.

What phrases are similar to "such was his"?

Alternatives include "so great was his", "to such a degree was his", or simply rephrasing the sentence to emphasize the quality without the inversion.

Is "such was his" formal or informal?

It leans towards formal, often found in news articles, biographies, and academic writing. In more casual conversation, simpler phrases might be preferred.