Sharpeningsuch

Sharpeningsuch is a neologism that has appeared in limited online discussions to describe a technique for making statements more precise by using "such" constructions to narrow a class of cases. The term is not established in mainstream linguistics, logic, or philosophy, and its exact definition varies by author. In general, it is presented as a multiphase process that aims to reduce vagueness by moving from broad generalizations to more clearly delineated examples or constraints.

Conceptually, sharpeningsuch involves two related ideas. First, identifying a general class signaled by a demonstrative or determiner such as such or such as. Second, sharpening by substituting or augmenting with explicit exemplars, criteria, or a compact list of instances that delimit the class. The goal is to improve argument clarity, reproducibility, or communicative efficiency by replacing loose phrasing with precise, checkable boundaries.

In practical use, proponents argue that sharpeningsuch helps distinguish claims like “There are such problems that require careful analysis” from more precise formulations like “There are problems such as data corruption, misinterpretation, or incomplete logging that require careful analysis.” The latter explicitly names representative cases, while the former remains a generalization. Advocates contend that the technique can aid in pedagogy, policy writing, and formal argumentation by making scope explicit.

Because sharpeningsuch is not widely codified, there is no single authoritative definition. It is primarily encountered as a descriptive label in informal discourse to discuss how such constructions can influence precision and scope. See also: such as, such that, demonstratives, argumentation.