So + adjective / adverb
So intensifies adjectives and adverbs. It can be followed by a result clause with that.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| so + adjective | The film was so boring. · It was so cold outside. |
| so + adjective + that | It was so hot that we stayed inside all day. |
| so + adverb | She spoke so quickly that I couldn't understand her. |
| so + adjective (exclamation) | "The view is so beautiful!" |
Such + (adjective +) noun
Such intensifies nouns (often with an adjective before them). Use a/an with singular countable nouns.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| such a/an + (adj) + singular noun | She's such a good teacher. · What such a surprise! |
| such + (adj) + plural noun | They were such good friends. · These are such difficult questions. |
| such + (adj) + uncountable noun | It was such terrible weather. · He has such patience. |
| such + noun + that | She's such a good teacher that everyone loves her class. |
so vs such:
So + adjective alone: "It was so hot." Such + noun (+ adjective): "It was such hot weather." ✗ "It was so hot weather." ✗ "It was such hot."
So much / many / little / few
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| so much + uncountable | large amount (uncountable noun) | There was so much noise that I couldn't sleep. |
| so many + plural countable | large number (countable noun) | There were so many people that we couldn't get in. |
| so little + uncountable | small amount (uncountable) | There was so little time that we had to rush. |
| so few + plural countable | small number (countable) | There were so few tickets left that we missed out. |
Exercises
Choose so or such (with the correct article where needed).
1. It was ___ a boring film that I fell asleep.
2. She spoke ___ fast that I couldn't understand a word.
3. It was ___ cold weather that the pipes froze.
4. There was ___ little food that we had to share one plate.
5. She's ___ an experienced teacher that students travel far to attend her class.