was such as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was such as' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean "was of the kind of" or "was just like". For example, "His beauty was such as couldn't be described in words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

At the president's request, Mr. Frost changed, "Such as she was, such as she would become" to "Such as she was, such as she will become".

The New York Times

"That's why there was such as emphasis on post-Qaddafi planning.

The New York Times

"His conduct thereafter was such as to make the prosecution believe that their case was stronger than it really was.

The Guardian

She told the newspaper: "Del was such as warm and friendly person with an infectious sense of humour.

The Guardian

Investigators later searched the trash from both airports, but the volume was such as to make the task futile.

The New Yorker

But he altered the last line, which describes America "such as she was, such as she would become".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Who? Me!?! It's such as honor.

Huffington Post

My Ph.D is such as wonder.

Huffington Post

Richter was something else, as were such colleagues as David Oistrakh and Emil Gilels.

The New York Times - Books

There's such thing as still-motherhood.

The New York Times

"There are such things as poor entrepreneurs".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "was such as" can effectively convey a strong degree or consequence. Consider the tone and audience to determine if it's the most suitable choice.

Common error

Avoid using "was such as" in informal settings where simpler language would be more appropriate. Overusing formal phrasing can make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was such as" functions as a connector, linking a subject with a description of its state or condition. It indicates a particular quality, characteristic, or consequence. Ludwig examples show it used to describe everything from a close contest to an experimental setup.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was such as" is a grammatically correct phrase frequently used to express that something is of a particular kind or to a certain degree. As Ludwig AI confirmed, the phrase is acceptable for use in written English, but its relatively formal tone means it is more suitable in some contexts than others. While common in news and media sources, "was such as" is especially favored in more formal, scientific, and academic writing. When seeking a more concise expression, alternatives such as "was so...that" or "led to" may be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was of a kind that

Emphasizes the type or category something belonged to.

was to such a degree that

Highlights the extent or intensity of something.

was so... that

A more common and less formal way to express the same idea.

was characterized by

Focuses on the defining traits or features.

was marked by

Similar to 'characterized by' but suggests a more noticeable feature.

resulted in

Emphasizes the consequence or outcome.

led to

Indicates a causal relationship.

was to the point of

Highlights the limit or threshold reached.

exhibited

Focuses on displaying a particular attribute or quality.

demonstrated

Similar to 'exhibited' but implies a clearer or more obvious display.

FAQs

What does "was such as" mean?

The phrase "was such as" means "was of a kind that" or "was to a degree that". It's used to describe the nature or extent of something.

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

You can use "was such as" to describe a quality or characteristic. For example, "The pressure was such as to cause the pipe to burst."

Are there alternatives to "was such as"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "was so...that" or "led to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "was such as"?

The phrase is appropriate for formal writing or when you want to emphasize the degree or consequence of something. However, avoid overuse in casual conversation or informal writing.