So

So (and such)

"THEREFORE" * PURPOSE * "LIKE X" * "TRUE" * PRACTICE

RESULT
("therefore")
SV , (and) so
; (and) therefore, S + V

clauses CANNOT be reversed; result ACHIEVED -- any verb OK

He studied hard , (and) so
; (and) therefore, he passed the test.

ALSO

conclusion by inference:
summary:

So I see you're leaving.
So, that's what happened.
or: So, what do you think?

INTENT/
PURPOSE
(Why?)
SV because S + want
in order
so as
so (that)
in order that + to V

+S + V(modal*)

clauses can be reversed; achievement UNKNOWN, use modal in clause

He studied

because he wanted
in order
so as

so (that)
in order that

to pass the test.

he could pass the test.

"LIKE X" /
COMPARISON
(How [adj/adv]?)"
.. so + adj/adv
.. such + (a) + adj + N that + S+V

These clauses / phrases are "tied" to an adjective or adverb, WITHIN another clause.

He studied
He is
(He didn't study
(He isn't so hard
such a good student
so hard
such a good student
that he passed the test

that he went blind.)
that the other students dislike him.)

ALSO

emphasis:
(without the "that" clause) I'm so tired!.
I enjoyed it so much!

AND
unreal comparisons:
so + adj/adv
such + (a) adj + N (as ... )

a. after negatives:
b. with WH-questions:
c. conditional:
d. hypothetical:

Nothing is so lovely as a day in May.
What is so wonderful as a day in May?
So long as we go in May, I'll be happy.
Such a nice May day should not be wasted
A month so nice should not be wasted.

"TRUE"

a. adjective (meaning "true")
modifying an entire proposition:

Say it isn't so.
Is that so?

b. replacing an entire
AFFIRMATIVE (true) clause:

1. after "it": Would you like a cat? If so ... ( If not ...)
2. replacing a "that"-clause: Everyone says so

c. surprised confirmation ("true!"):

So they are! (You're right!")

d. tags ("also true"):

SV, and

+ X + S

+ X,

too.

He's from Italy, and

she

+ is + she

+ is,

too.

Return to the adverb clause basics
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Ann Salzmann
Intensive English Institute
University of Illinois