thing such as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thing such as" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to introduce examples, but it should be phrased as "things such as" to be grammatically correct. Example: "You can find many fruits in the market, things such as apples, oranges, and bananas."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The social media thing such as Twitter, Facebook, Google, and others have done nothing for me.

The New York Times

Bringing new light, new readers to a thing such as the "Iliad" is noble.

The New York Times - Books

A simple thing such as referring to yourself by your name rather than "I, me" gives you an advantage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some philosophers have held that knowing cannot be described as a single thing, such as a state of consciousness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Light, which normally and famously travels in straight lines, thus appears to follow a curved path when it passes near a heavy thing such as a galaxy.

The Economist

Epithet, an adjective or phrase that is used to express the characteristic of a person or thing, such as Ivan the Terrible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just one thing such as a job loss or serious illness can tip any of us into a downward spiral that puts our home at risk".

The Guardian

The Yorkshire coach's view was that, on occasions, doing the safe, obvious thing such as leaving the ball outside off-stump was not always the best policy.

The Guardian - Sport

Focusing on one thing – such as shoes, which is cute – sometimes shifts the focus away from things that are more important".

The Guardian

It can be a small thing, such as peeling an orange for a person you love because you know they don't like doing it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

O'Neil's book explains how other mathematical models do a similar thing – such as the ones used to measure the likelihood an individual will relapse into criminal behavior.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the grammatically correct phrase "things such as" to introduce examples. For instance: "You can find many fruits in the market, things such as apples, oranges and bananas."

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "thing such as" when you intend to list multiple examples. Always use the plural "things such as" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase is used to introduce examples or instances of a general category. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect in standard written English, recommending the plural form instead. It serves to illustrate a point by providing specific instances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thing such as" is commonly used across various contexts to introduce examples. However, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect, advising the use of the plural form "things such as" instead. While widely present in news, encyclopedias, science, and wiki sources, remember that accuracy in grammar enhances clarity and credibility. Alternatives like "such as", "for example", or "items like" provide grammatically sound options for introducing examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such as

Slightly more formal and concise way to list examples.

something like

Emphasizes approximation or similarity, rather than direct exemplification.

like

More informal way to indicate examples or similarity.

for instance

Specifically introduces an example to illustrate a point.

for example

Directly introduces an instance that exemplifies a general statement.

including

Highlights that the listed items are part of a larger group.

take for example

A longer form of "for example", emphasizing the act of choosing an illustration.

as in

Clarifies a concept by providing a relatable instance.

to illustrate

Signals that the following content will serve as an example.

consider

Invites the audience to think about a specific example.

FAQs

How should I use "thing such as" in a sentence?

The grammatically correct way to introduce examples is by using the plural form: "things such as". For example: "Many outdoor activities, "things such as" hiking, camping, and fishing, are popular in the summer".

Is it correct to say "thing such as"?

No, it is not correct. The proper way to introduce a list of examples is to use the plural form: "things such as". Using the singular "thing such as" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "thing such as"?

You can use phrases like "items like", "examples such as", or simply "such as" to introduce examples in a grammatically correct way.

What is the difference between "thing such as" and "things such as"?

"Thing such as" is grammatically incorrect because it uses the singular "thing" when introducing multiple examples. "Things such as" is the correct phrase to use.