So, such, such a, so much & so many — how to use them
Core patterns
- so + adjective/adverb (+(that)+ result): You’re so stubborn (that)… • He drives so slowly (that)…
- such a/an + (adjective) + singular countable noun (+(that)): Such a brilliant actress (that)…
- such + (adjective) + plural/uncountable noun (+(that)): such terrible weather (that)…
- so much + uncountable noun (+(that)): so much food (that)…
- so many + plural noun (+(that)): so many people (that)…
- so little / so few + noun for small amounts: so little time, so few buses.
The conjunction that is optional in result clauses and often dropped in speech.
Meaning & use
- so / such intensify (= “very/really”). It was such a bad idea. • That’s so kind.
- They can also mean “like this”: I didn’t know it was so important. • such a mistake.
- Exclamations: It’s so cold! • Such a pity! • Such nonsense!
so … that (result) vs so that (purpose)
- so … that gives a result: She was so tired that she fell asleep.
- so that + subject + can/could/will/would gives a purpose: Leave early so that you can catch the train.
Common mistakes
- ✗ so + adjective + noun → ✓ such (a/an) + adjective + noun: He is such a nice person (not so nice person).
- so much/many (strong degree) vs too much/many (excess, negative): so many people / too many people (= more than desirable).
- Don’t confuse such with such as (= “for example”).
Mini examples
- so + adj/adv: He’s so good that he gets bored. • John drives so slowly that people get impatient.
- such a + sing.: It was such a party (that) we stayed till dawn.
- such + plural/unc.: We had such terrible weather (that) we left early.
- so much / so many: She spends so much time online. • There were so many fans we couldn’t move.
- so little / so few: We had so little money. • There are so few buses at night.
Exercises:
So, such, such a, so much, so many
Choose so, such, such a, so much, so many to complete the sentences below.
1
It was
expensive that we had to leave the shop.
2
They bought
beautiful house by the sea.
3
We didn’t go swimming — the water was
cold.
4
There was
traffic on the ring road that we missed the start.
5
She gave me
good advice that I changed my plans.
6
I’ve got
emails to answer that I’ll be busy all afternoon.
7
It was
long journey that we arrived after midnight.
8
He made
progress in only one week!
9
We found
mistakes in the report that we had to rewrite it.
10
It was
lovely evening that nobody wanted to go home.
So, such, such a, so much, so many
Choose the correct form for each gap below.
1
There was _____ long queue that we gave up and went home.
A.
B.
C.
2
It was _____ cold that the lake froze overnight.
A.
B.
C.
3
They made _____ noise that the neighbours complained.
A.
B.
C.
4
She has _____ ideas for the project; we can’t try them all.
A.
B.
C.
5
I’ve never seen _____ beautiful paintings in one room.
A.
B.
C.
6
It was _____ interesting story that I read it twice.
A.
B.
C.
7
We had _____ good time at the festival!
A.
B.
C.
8
There were _____ people at the opening that we ran out of seats.
A.
B.
C.
9
He spoke _____ quickly during the briefing that I couldn’t follow.
A.
B.
C.
10
There was _____ chaos in the office that nobody got anything done.
A.
B.
C.
So, such, such a, so much, so many
Fill in the gaps with so, such, such a(n), so much or so many.
1
The exam was ____ difficult that half the class failed. ⇒
2
They made ____ mess in the kitchen that it took hours to clean. ⇒
3
I have ____ emails to answer today that I can’t leave the office. ⇒
4
We drank ____ water after the hike that our bottles were empty. ⇒
5
It was ____ beautiful weather that we ate outside. ⇒
6
She told ____ interesting story that everyone listened in silence. ⇒
7
He drives ____ carefully that he rarely makes mistakes. ⇒
8
There were ____ people at the concert that we couldn’t find each other. ⇒
9
We had ____ fun at the party that we forgot the time. ⇒
10
It was ____ silly mistake that everyone laughed. ⇒