such as
5 synonyms for such as, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Phrase — Used to introduce one or more examples of the kind of thing just mentioned.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use such as
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
such as this
items such as
such as those
such as it is
Neutral; slightly more formal than "like" and standard in written English.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between such as and like?
"Such as" introduces actual examples drawn from the group; "like" traditionally introduces things similar to but not part of it. Careful writers say "poets such as Keats" if Keats is one of them and "poets like Keats" for poets resembling him, though in everyday speech the two are used interchangeably.
Do you put a comma before such as?
Only when the examples are non-essential extra information: "Bring warm clothing, such as a fleece." Leave the comma out when the examples narrow down what you mean: "Fruits such as bananas are high in potassium."
Can you use etc. after such as?
No — it is redundant. "Such as" already signals that the list is only a sample, so "such as apples, pears, etc." says the same thing twice. Pick one.
