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, So much, So many
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, So much, So many
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, So much, 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. ⇒