such

1. 1
   that sort ofdeterminerdemonstrative

   Like this, that, these, or those, comparing with something the context implies.

   Such behavior will not be tolerated.

   We had no idea that any such plan existed.

   UsagePut such before a: such a day (not incorrect: a such day). It also follows any and no: no such plan.

   Note

   Old English swelċ goes back to a Germanic compound of so + like, and the word still carries that meaning: it points at a kind, where this and that point at an individual.

2. 2
   so greatdeterminer

   Used before a noun phrase for emphasis, meaning so great or so much of a ('such a long journey', 'such a waste!').

   Such a waste of good food!

   Such courage, in one so young!

   UsageSuch goes before a noun phrase (such a good time); so modifies an adjective (so good). Formal English also allows so good a time.

   Note

   The intensifier at full voice, often with the rest of the sentence dropped: Such hypocrisy! It needs a noun phrase that can come in degrees, such as passion, hypocrisy or bounciness. What does the same job (what hypocrisy!). The noun phrase can come first for emphasis, as in Such bouncy children you have!, or appear inside an ordinary sentence, as in She sings with such passion!

3. 3
   pronoun

   Used on its own, with no noun after it: a person, thing, people, or things of the kind already mentioned ('pens, pencils, and such').

   The hours are long and the pay is low, but such is the life of a junior chef in a busy restaurant kitchen.

   Bread, cheese and such were laid out on the table.

   UsageSuch is life is a fixed saying. At the end of a list, and such works like and so on.

   Note

   Standing alone, the word spans two very different registers. Such as followed by a verb (such as run astray, such as are middle-aged) means those who, and it sounds formal and somewhat old. And such at the end of a list (peonies and such) is homely and spoken, close to and so on.

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