Uses of Such as various parts of speech

Such - it means ‘of this type’

Such as various parts of speech

The word ‘such’ can function as following parts of speech:

  • As a pronoun
  • As an adjective

The word ‘such’ is generally used as an adjective, but it can function as a demonstrative pronoun too.

Such is business these days. (such – pronoun; here ‘such’ is working as the subject of the verb ‘is’)

He is such an athlete. (such – adjective; athlete – the noun that ‘such’ is modifying)

In case you are confused regarding how exactly a word is working in a sentence, replace it with a similar word, and see if it still sounds ok.

For example, consider the following sentence:
Such accusations by you may force us to sue your firm.

Can you tell what part of speech is ‘such’ working as?

It is working as an adjective, that is modifying the noun ‘accusations’. We can replace it with another adjective and the sentence will still make sense.
False accusations by you may force us to sue your firm.

Usage Patterns of Such

Now, let’s see some of the sentence patterns in which you are more likely to see ‘such’ being used.

Such as an Adjective

Pattern 1

such + a/an + singular countable noun

He is not such boy. (incorrect)
He is not such a boy. (correct, i.e. boy of this type; boy - singular countable noun; such - adjective)

Pattern 2

such + plural countable noun

We had no idea that they are such boys. (correct, i.e. boys of this type; boys - plural countable noun; such - adjective)

Such as a Pronoun

Pattern 1

such + verb + subject (verb will be in accordance with the subject)

It is hard to believe that such has been your friends for years. (incorrect)
It is hard to believe that such have been your friends for years. (correct; such - pronoun)

If such is the way he interacts with customers, the business will find it difficult to grow. (way - singular countable noun; such - pronoun)

Such are the ways of God. (ways - plural countable noun; such - pronoun)

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