so

I UK [səʊ] / US [soʊ] adverb, conjunction ***

Summary:

So can be used in the following ways: - as an adverb (followed by an adjective or another adverb): Why are you so angry this morning? ♦ It all happened so quickly. (with a verb): We were so looking forward to meeting your family. (followed by an auxiliary or modal verb and then its subject): "I'm hungry." "So am I." (followed by an adjective and "a" or "an" and a singular countable noun): The garden seemed small for so large a house. - as a conjunction (connecting two clauses): There weren't enough beds, so I had to sleep on the floor. - as a way of starting a new sentence: So, when do you start your new job? - in the conjunction phrase so that: He was standing in the shadow so that I could not see his face clearly.

1) used for emphasis

a) used for emphasizing a quality, feeling, or amount

I'm so glad you could come.

Thank you for looking after me so well.

The food's wonderful, but it's so expensive!

so much/many:

Like so many great artists, he died young.

b) used when you are emphasizing a fact by saying what the result of it is

The children couldn't sleep, they were so excited.

so ... (that):

The road surface became so hot that it melted.

Everything's changed so much I can scarcely recognize the place.

so ... as to be:

His comments on the book were so childish as to be not worth considering.

c) used for saying that someone does something a lot or feels something strongly

so love/enjoy/appreciate etc:

She so loved watching the children play.

worry/suffer etc so:

You shouldn't worry so. Nothing's going to happen to us.

d) spoken used for emphasis with a negative. This is mainly used by young people

I am so over that guy!

2) used instead of repeating what has just been said

a) used for referring back to a possibility, fact, or situation that has just been mentioned

I think/suppose/expect/hope etc so:

You're in love with Rita, aren't you? I thought so.

"You're not really going to resign?" "No, I don't suppose so."

say so/tell someone so:

If you wanted to leave early, you should have said so.

so they say/so they tell me/so I understand:

I'm a quick learner. Or so they tell me.

if so:

Does the President intend to go to Moscow? And if so, when?

more so/less so/very much so:

"Is Sybil the outdoor type?" "Oh yes, very much so."

b) mainly spoken used for saying that something that was just said is also true about another person or thing

so is/does/can/will etc someone:

Heidi is planning to come, and so is Sylvia.

My parents send their love, and so does Rachel.

"I'd like to know what's happening out there." "So would I."

If I learned how to drive a car, so can you.

3) because of what has just been mentioned used for saying that something happens or someone does something because of what you have just mentioned

She thought there might have been an accident, so she called the police.

He was born in France, so he also has a French passport.

A tree had fallen across the road, so they had to turn round and go back.

so that:

The window was covered so that it was not possible to see inside.

4) used for stating a purpose used for saying what the purpose of an action is

so (that):

He lowered his voice so no one would hear.

I'll get a map so that we can plan where we're going.

so as (not) to do something:

In Tehran the wives of foreign diplomats wore headscarves so as not to offend the Iranians.

The Athletics Federation has introduced stricter regulations so as to prevent cheating.

5) spoken used for starting a statement in a conversation

a) used for continuing a conversation, especially for starting a new subject or starting to ask a question

So, let's get down to business.

So, what do you suggest we do next?

b) used for introducing a question in order to make sure that what you have heard or noticed is correct

So, you've finally decided to come with us?

6) in such a way

a) so or like so

spoken used when showing someone how something should be done

Tie the two ends together, like so.

Grasp the handle with both hands, so.

b) spoken used when describing something and using your hands to show its size

I need a couple of metal rods about so long.

c) used for saying that someone makes or arranges something in such a way that there is a particular result

Each course of studies was so arranged that students could combine their education with part-time work.

The architect had so designed the rooms that every window overlooked the lake.

7) spoken used for saying that a particular fact is not important used for introducing a known fact before you make a comment to show that it does not matter

Okay, so the guy made a few mistakes. That doesn't mean he isn't a good player.

8) used for stating a limit used for saying that a number or amount is limited

I can only listen to her complaints for so long before I start to get angry.

only so much/many:

We have only so much time before the exams start.

There are only so many police officers available for controlling the crowds.

•

and so on/forth — used instead of mentioning more of a similar type of thing that has already been mentioned

They have a right to their own culture, their own religion, their own language, and so on.

Employees were always complaining about their wages, their working conditions, and so forth.

and so someone/something is — used for emphasizing that what has been said about someone or something is right

They called him a hero, and so he is.

just as ... so (too) — formal used for showing that there is a connection between two situations or actions

Just as the body needs regular exercise, so too an engine needs to be run at regular intervals.

not so ... (as) — used for saying that one person or thing has less of a particular quality than another

The Rosario family managed to flee, but others were not so lucky.

It's an attractive car but not so exciting to drive as the Ford Mustang.

The idea is not so silly as it sounds.

so it is/so there are/so I have etc — used for agreeing with what someone has said and for showing that you are a little surprised by it

"Look at the picture again – isn't that your Uncle Toby?" "So it is!"

so (what)? — informal used for saying in a slightly rude way that what someone has said does not matter or is not important

"Someone might see us." "So what? We're not doing anything illegal."

- be so

- do so

- not so

- or so

- so be it

- so long

See:

just I, long II, tell

II UK [səʊ] / US [soʊ]

soh