Distinguishing Between 'As' and 'Such' in English

Understanding the nuanced uses of the preposition as and the adverb such is crucial for mastering English. In the intricate lexicon of the English language, few pairs of words cause as much confusion as these. This article aims to clarify their correct usage, providing both their primary definitions and diverse examples to illustrate their application.

1. Usage of 'As'

The preposition as is used for comparison. It highlights a similarity or proportionate relationship. Consider these examples:

As a bird flies through the sky, so a fish swims through the sea nearby. As bright as the sun in the sky, she radiates light wherever she goes. As tall as a mountain, his determination is immeasurable.

2. Usage of 'Such'

The word such is used to describe something, typically to emphasize its qualities or to introduce a noun.

Such a beautiful day today, we decided to go for a walk. Such a kind person I must say, he deserves all the praise he gets. Such a lovely dress you wear, it complements your hairstyle perfectly. Such a talented artist beyond compare, her paintings are truly mesmerizing.

3. 'As Such'

Introducing the phrase as such, which is used to indicate that something is true because of something else. For instance:

As such, there will not be a guest house to sleep in overnight.

4. 'So Called'

The term so called is used as an insult or to dispute a name or title, for example:

She was the so called queen of the island, but her true claim to the throne was questionable.

5. Additional Usage

As such and so called can also be used to introduce a logical consequence or a statement that follows from previous information. Examples:

Seems a big storm is predicted for this weekend, and as such, there is no point in planning a picnic. So you don’t like cheese, implies that the speaker believes the listener doesn’t enjoy cheese based on previous discussion. Such is life, indicates a general acceptance of the situation.

6. Adjective vs. Noun Usage

Some common confusion arises when distinguishing between so (used with adjectives) and such (used with nouns).

So sad that I could cry, means to a great degree of sadness. Such a nice person that I could hug, means a person of remarkable niceness.

Though colloquially, so and such are sometimes interchangeable, the fundamental rule remains: so is with adjectives, and such is with nouns.

7. Further Resources

To further refine your understanding of 'as' and 'such', you can consult the American Heritage Dictionary for detailed definitions and examples.