so + adjectiveUse this when the next word is an adjective, not a noun.
So and Such
B1Use so before adjectives and adverbs, but use such with noun phrases. Both can add strong emphasis and often lead to a result with that.
What you'll learn
- Use so before adjectives like tired or expensive.
- Use so before adverbs like quickly or carefully.
- Use such with noun phrases like such a mess or such weather.
- Keep a or an after such with one singular countable noun.
- Use so ... that and such ... that to show a result.
Structure
so + adverbUse this when the next word describes how someone does an action.
such + noun phraseUse such when the focus is a noun phrase.
such + a/an + adjective + singular nounWith one singular countable noun, keep a or an after such.
so/such + focus words + that + result clauseUse that to connect the strong quality with its result.
Build a sentence
Pattern
Example
socold
It was so cold.
Use so before an adjective.
When to use
Strong quality
Emphasize how strong a quality is: so happy, so difficult, so loud. The focus is the adjective itself.
Strong manner
Emphasize how an action happens: so slowly, so well, so badly. The focus is the adverb.
Strong thing or idea
Emphasize a thing, person, or idea: such a shame, such noise, such friendly people. The focus is the noun phrase.
Result
Show that one strong quality leads to another event: so late that we ran, such a long line that we left.
Markers
thatso tiredso quicklysuch a shamesuch noise
In contrast
vs too-enough
So and such add emphasis. Too often means more than necessary, and enough means the right amount or degree.
Common mistakes
Wrong
The lecture was such boring.
Correct
The lecture was so boring.
Use so before an adjective on its own. Such needs a noun phrase after it.
Wrong
Maria explained it such clearly.
Correct
Maria explained it so clearly.
Clearly is an adverb, so use so, not such.
Wrong
The kitchen was so mess.
Correct
The kitchen was such a mess.
Mess is a noun, so use such. With one singular countable noun, add a or an.
Wrong
It was such good idea.
Correct
It was such a good idea.
A singular countable noun needs a or an after such.
Wrong
It was a such good idea.
Correct
It was such a good idea.
The order is such + a/an + adjective + noun.
Wrong
It was such cold that we went home.
Correct
It was so cold that we went home.
Cold is an adjective, so use so cold that, not such cold that.
Common misconceptions
❝ So and such mean almost the same, so I can choose either one. ❞
Choose by the next word: so + adjective/adverb, such + noun phrase.
❝ After such, I can drop a or an because the meaning is already clear. ❞
With one singular countable noun, a or an still stays: such a problem, such an amazing story.
Skills in this rule (6)
SO_PLUS_ADJECTIVEw5Use so before an adjective for strong emphasis
Use so directly before an adjective: so tired, so expensive, so kind. Do not put a noun right after so in this pattern.
SO_PLUS_ADVERBw4Use so before an adverb for strong emphasis
Use so before an adverb: so quickly, so carefully, so badly. This pattern emphasizes how an action happens.
SUCH_PLUS_NOUNw5Use such before a noun phrase for strong emphasis
Use such before a noun phrase: such weather, such people, such noise. The emphasis falls on the thing, person, or idea.
SUCH_A_AN_SINGULAR_NOUNw5Use such a/an before a singular countable noun
With one singular countable noun, use such + a/an + noun: such a good idea, such an easy test. Keep the article after such.
THAT_RESULTw4Use so or such with that to show a result
Use so ... that or such ... that when one strong quality causes a result: It was so cold that we stayed inside. It was such a cold day that we stayed inside.
SO_COLD_SUCH_A_COLD_DAYw5Choose between so + adjective and such + noun phrase
Choose so when the next word is an adjective or adverb. Choose such when the next part is a noun phrase, often with a/an.