Use so before an adjective or adverb on its own, and such (a) before a noun, with or without an adjective. Both make the meaning stronger, both can mean like this, and both can be followed by a result with or without that.
A so + adjective, such + noun
| so + adjective or adverb | such + (adjective +) noun |
|---|---|
| so silly, so kind | such a joke, such people |
| so quickly, so badly | such a silly joke, such kind people |
Use so when the adjective or adverb stands alone. Use such when there is a noun. It is such a silly joke, never a so silly joke.
- I didn't enjoy the film. The ending was so silly.
- It all happened so quickly.
- I didn't enjoy the film. It had such a silly ending.
- I really like Maya and Tom. They're such kind people.
B Making the meaning stronger
So and such make the meaning stronger. So tired means really tired.
The word order is such a + noun, never a such: such a long queue, such an idiot.
You can add a result with so ... that and such ... that. In speech we usually leave out that.
- I've been on my feet all day. I'm so tired.
- I can't understand her. She talks so fast.
- We had a brilliant weekend. We had such a good time.
- You always expect the worst. You're such a pessimist.
- I was so tired that I fell asleep on the train.
- I was so tired I fell asleep on the train.
- It was such a lovely day that we walked all the way to Whitby.
- It was such a lovely day we walked all the way to Whitby.
C so and such meaning like this
So and such can also mean like this or as much as this. Here they point at something both speakers already know, rather than simply adding strength.
Note the expression no such ..., meaning that the thing does not exist. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and on the evidence there is no such thing as a quick lunch at the motorway services either.
- Someone told me the church was built in 1150. I didn't realise it was so old.
- I'm shattered because I got up at five. I don't normally get up so early.
- I thought it would be colder. I'm surprised it's so mild.
- I didn't realise it was such an old church.
- You know that isn't true. How can you say such a thing?
- You won't find a station called Upper Bunting on the map. There's no such place.
D so long, such a long time; so much, such a lot
Compare these pairs. They mean the same; the grammar follows section A.
| so | such |
|---|---|
| so long | such a long time (not so long time) |
| so far | such a long way |
| so much, so many | such a lot (of) |
- I haven't been back to Hull for so long I've forgotten my way round.
- I haven't been back to Hull for such a long time.
- I didn't know the beach was so far.
- I didn't know the beach was such a long way.
- Sorry I'm late. There were so many roadworks.
- Sorry I'm late. There were such a lot of roadworks.
Exercises
102.1 Put in so, such or such a.
It was a brilliant gig. We had such a good time.
It was a brilliant gig. We had such a good time.
Petrol is expensive these days, isn't it?
Petrol is so expensive these days, isn't it?
She always looks smart. She wears lovely clothes.
She always looks smart. She wears such lovely clothes.
Nobody expected the result. It was surprise.
Nobody expected the result. It was such a surprise.
What a beautiful garden! These are gorgeous roses.
What a beautiful garden! These are such gorgeous roses.
The wedding was lovely. It was pity you couldn't come.
The wedding was lovely. It was such a pity you couldn't come.
I was pleased to see that she looked well after her operation.
I was pleased to see that she looked so well after her operation.
I'd better go. I didn't realise it was late.
I'd better go. I didn't realise it was so late.
Why does it always take you long time to park?
Why does it always take you such a long time to park?
Everything went wrong on that holiday. We had bad luck.
Everything went wrong on that holiday. We had such bad luck.
102.2 Make one sentence from two. Choose a sentence from the box, then complete each sentence using so or such.
The fireworks were noisy.It was miserable weather.I've got a lot of emails.I had a big lunch.It was a lovely evening.His Spanish is fluent.The box was heavy.I was shocked.The campsite was a long way.
It was such a lovely evening, we ate outside in the garden.
It was such a lovely evening, we ate outside in the garden.
, he couldn't lift it on his own.
The box was so heavy, he couldn't lift it on his own.
, I'll never read them all.
I've got so many emails, I'll never read them all.
, I couldn't say a word.
I was so shocked, I couldn't say a word.
, every dog in the street started barking.
The fireworks were so noisy, every dog in the street started barking.
, we stayed in and watched films all day.
It was such miserable weather, we stayed in and watched films all day.
, people assume he's from Madrid.
His Spanish is so fluent, people assume he's from Madrid.
, we had to stop twice on the way.
The campsite was such a long way, we had to stop twice on the way.
, I didn't want anything else to eat all day.
I had such a big lunch, I didn't want anything else to eat all day.
102.3 Put the words in the right order.
The bakery opened at six this morning. It doesn't usually open so early. (open / early / usually / so / doesn't)
The bakery opened at six this morning. It doesn't usually open so early.
Why ? Nobody's done anything wrong. (a / such / mood / in / you / are / bad)
Why are you in such a bad mood? Nobody's done anything wrong.
The repair came to four hundred pounds. I'm . (much / it / amazed / so / cost)
The repair came to four hundred pounds. I'm amazed it cost so much.
She said she'd read it in a book called The Golden Spoon, but . (such / there's / book / no)
She said she'd read it in a book called The Golden Spoon, but there's no such book.
I'm sorry. I don't know why . (such / remark / I / made / a / silly)
I'm sorry. I don't know why I made such a silly remark.
Why ? Everyone in the library is looking at us. (talking / so / you / loudly / are)
Why are you talking so loudly? Everyone in the library is looking at us.
One weekend? How did you ? (shed / time / build / short / a / such / in / the)
One weekend? How did you build the shed in such a short time?
Why ? We could have stayed at a B&B. (expensive / you / an / hotel / did / such / book)
Why did you book such an expensive hotel? We could have stayed at a B&B.
102.4 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.
We enjoyed our trip to the Lakes. We had such ...
Example answer: We enjoyed our trip to the Lakes. We had such a good time.
I like Callum. He's so ...
Example answer: I like Callum. He's so easy to talk to.
I like Callum. He's such ...
Example answer: I like Callum. He's such a kind person.
It's lovely to see you! I haven't seen you for so ...
Example answer: It's lovely to see you! I haven't seen you for so long.
I thought the station was in the town centre. I didn't realise it was such ...
Example answer: I thought the station was in the town centre. I didn't realise it was such a long way out.
The shops were packed. There were so ...
Example answer: The shops were packed. There were so many people.