Such as introduces one or more examples of what you have just mentioned: sports such as tennis and golf. It works both in essays and in everyday speech. In an essay, it helps you support a general point with specific examples.
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noun + such as + A and B; noun, such as A or B, + verb; such as + -ing
- Renewable sources such as wind and solar power now produce a large share of Europe's electricity.
- Some everyday habits, such as walking to work or taking the stairs, can noticeably improve your health.
- We still need a few things for the trip, such as sunscreen and a travel adapter.
What changed
First versionBig cities face many problems, such as for example traffic and air pollution.
RevisionBig cities face many problems, such as traffic and air pollution.
Such as and for example both introduce examples, so putting them together says the same thing twice: such as for example. For example was removed, and the comma before such as stayed.
In conversation, like also introduces examples: cities like Paris and Rome, although such as sounds more formal in an essay. But like has another meaning too, “in the same way as”: He cooks like a professional. Such as is not used in comparisons.
Your turn
Olga speaks English ___ a native speaker, so people often think she grew up in London.
Show the answer
like — This sentence doesn't give an example; it makes a comparison: Olga speaks the way a native speaker does. A comparison needs like. Such as introduces examples from a group, and “for example, a native speaker” makes no sense here.
Write a sentence for an essay about the benefits of travel. Name a general benefit, and after such as give two specific examples.
Travelling helps young people develop useful skills, such as solving problems quickly and talking to strangers with confidence.
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