Friday, August 5, 2016

SO - SUCH

SO and SUCH often have the same meaning : 'very' or 'to this degree'.

So is used before an adjective or an adverb (without a noun after it):
  • so big
  • so carefully

Such is followed by 'a' or 'an', + an adjective + a singular noun 
  • such a long time
  • such an incredible story

Such is used without a, an before plural nounsmass nouns (luggage, furniture)
and abstract nouns (advice, courage, generosity, kindness ... )
  • such fools
  • such (beautiful) furniture
  • such generosity

Compare the following sentences:
  • This book is so interesting.
  • This is such an interesting book.
  • Such interesting books are hard to find.
  • I was amazed that the crowd was so big.
  • I was amazed that there was such a big crowd.
  • Such big crowdcan be frightening.
  • The story was so complicated.
  • It was such a complicated story.
  • Such complicated stories are difficult to follow.
  • You are so intelligent.
  • You are such an intelligent person.
  • A person of such intelligence is a pleasure to meet.

So ... that and such ... that are used to describe reasons and results.

So + adjective + that :
◊ The hotel was so comfortable that we decided to stay another night. 

Such + adjective + noun + that :
◊ It's such a comfortable hotel that we'll definitely stay there again. 

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