# Almost all of a formula in \boldsymbol

I would like to typeset almost all of a formula in bold sans-serif font using \boldsymbol and \mathsf. For example:

$$\boldsymbol{\mathsf{x+{}}}n\boldsymbol{\mathsf{{}=y}}$$


or

$$\boldsymbol{\mathsf{S}}^n\boldsymbol{\mathsf{0}}$$


However, I would like to be able to do it more simply, by enclosing that parts that should be typeset normally in some sort of command. Like this:

$$\boldsymbol{\mathsf{x+\something{n}=y}}$$


Is there a way to do that?

Do yourself a favor and define macros:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{bm}

\newcommand{\svar}[1]{\bm{\mathsf{#1}}} % syntactic variable
\newcommand{\sfun}[1]{\bm{\mathsf{#1}}} % syntactic function

\begin{document}

Some text before the formula
$\svar{x}+n=\svar{y}$
and some text in between
$\sfun{S}^{n}\svar{0}$

\end{document}


Don't use $$ in LaTeX, see Why is $...$ preferable to$$ ... ?

Here is an alternative:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{bm}

\newcommand{\lf}[1]{\bm{#1}}
\newcommand{\var}[1]{\mathsf{#1}}
\newcommand{\meta}[1]{{\mathpalette\dometa{#1}}}
\newcommand{\dometa}[2]{\mbox{\mathversion{normal}$#1#2$}}

\begin{document}

Some text before the formula
$\lf{ \var{x}+\meta{n}=\var{y} }$
and some text in between
$\lf{ \var{S}^{\meta{n}}\var{0} }$

\end{document}


• Of course. But I would like to be able to write $\svar{x+\something{n}=y}$. Note that the + and = signs should also be bold. – Gabriel Nivasch Aug 7 '16 at 12:42
• @GabrielNivasch Why should you? – egreg Aug 7 '16 at 12:44
• Because I want very long formulas all written in bold sans-serif with some regular-font elements sprinkled in – Gabriel Nivasch Aug 7 '16 at 12:45
• @egreg - De gustibus non est... – Mico Aug 7 '16 at 13:14