ENGLISH
REFERENCE

in such a way

prep. phr..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. to do something in a specific style or manner to get a certain result.

prep. phr.. a complex prepositional phrase used to specify the manner in which an action is performed, often followed by a 'that' clause to indicate a result or purpose.


SIMPLE

He speaks in such a way that everyone listens.

CONTEXTUAL

The furniture was arranged in such a way that the room felt much larger than it actually was.

COMPLEX

The legislation was drafted in such a way as to minimize potential loopholes while ensuring maximum protection for the environment.

Usage

often followed by 'that' or 'as to' to connect the method to a specific outcome.

Teaching tip

this phrase is a more sophisticated alternative to 'so' or 'like this'; it helps students transition from simple result clauses to more formal adverbial structures.

Pitfall

He ran in such way that he fell.He ran in such a way that he fell.the indefinite article 'a' is mandatory between 'such' and 'way' in this fixed expression.

© 2026 English Reference