Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 102 · B1

so and such

Use so before an adjective or adverb on its own, and such (a) before a noun, with or without an adjective. Both make the meaning stronger, both can mean like this, and both can be followed by a result with or without that.

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 34 minutes

In this lesson

so + adjective, such + nounA3 screens of questions
Making the meaning strongerB1 screen of questions
so and such meaning like thisC1 screen of questions
so long, such a long time; so much, such a lotD1 screen of questions
Put it together+6 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

so + adjective, such + noun

so + adjective or adverb such + (adjective +) noun
so silly, so kind such a joke, such people
so quickly, so badly such a silly joke, such kind people

Use so when the adjective or adverb stands alone. Use such when there is a noun. It is such a silly joke, never a so silly joke.

  • I didn't enjoy the film. The ending was so silly.
  • It all happened so quickly.
  • I didn't enjoy the film. It had such a silly ending.
  • I really like Maya and Tom. They're such kind people.

Point A · Exercise 102.1 · part 1 of 3

Put in so, such or such a.

  1. Example

    It was a brilliant gig. We had such a good time.

    AnswerIt was a brilliant gig. We had such a good time.

  2. Petrol is expensive these days, isn't it?

  3. She always looks smart. She wears lovely clothes.

  4. Nobody expected the result. It was surprise.

  5. What a beautiful garden! These are gorgeous roses.

Point A · Exercise 102.1 · part 2 of 3

Put in so, such or such a.

  1. The wedding was lovely. It was pity you couldn't come.

  2. I was pleased to see that she looked well after her operation.

  3. Look at the time! I hadn't noticed it was late.

  4. How come it takes you long time to get ready?

Point A · Exercise 102.1 · part 3 of 3

Put in so, such or such a.

  1. Everything went wrong on that holiday. We had bad luck.

Point B of 4

Making the meaning stronger

So and such make the meaning stronger. So tired means really tired.

The word order is such a + noun, never a such: such a long queue, such an idiot.

You can add a result with so ... that and such ... that. In speech we usually leave out that.

  • I've been on my feet all day. I'm so tired.
  • I can't understand her. She talks so fast.
  • We had a brilliant weekend. We had such a good time.
  • You always expect the worst. You're such a pessimist.
  • The film was so long that half the audience left early.
  • The film was so long half the audience left early.
  • It was such a lovely day that we walked all the way to Whitby.
  • It was such a lovely day we walked all the way to Whitby.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in so or such a.

  1. I've been on my feet all day. I'm tired.

  2. We had good time at the wedding.

  3. The film was long that we nearly fell asleep.

Point C of 4

so and such meaning like this

So and such can also mean like this or as much as this. Here they point at something both speakers already know, rather than simply adding strength.

Note the expression no such ..., meaning that the thing does not exist. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and on the evidence there is no such thing as a quick lunch at the motorway services either.

  • Someone told me the church was built in 1150. I didn't realise it was so old.
  • I'm shattered because I got up at five. I don't normally get up so early.
  • I thought it would be colder. I'm surprised it's so mild.
  • I had no idea it was such a busy road.
  • You know that isn't true. How can you say such a thing?
  • You won't find a station called Upper Bunting on the map. There's no such place.

Point C · Extra practice

Put in so or such. Each one means like this.

  1. I didn't know the castle was old.

  2. I don't normally get up early.

  3. How can you say a thing?

Point D of 4

so long, such a long time; so much, such a lot

Compare these pairs. They mean the same; the grammar follows section A.

so such
so long such a long time (not so long time)
so far such a long way
so much, so many such a lot (of)
  • I haven't been back to Hull for so long I've forgotten my way round.
  • I haven't been back to Hull for such a long time.
  • I didn't know the beach was so far.
  • I didn't know the beach was such a long way.
  • Sorry I'm late. There were so many roadworks.
  • Sorry I'm late. There were such a lot of roadworks.

Point D · Extra practice

Put in so long, such a long time, so far or such a long way.

  1. I haven't seen you for . How are you?

  2. I didn't know the beach was . My feet hurt.

  3. Sorry we're late. There were roadworks.

Put it together · Exercise 102.2 · part 1 of 2

Make one sentence from two. Choose a sentence from the box, then complete each sentence using so or such.

Use these

The fireworks were noisy.It was miserable weather.I've got a lot of emails.I had a big lunch.It was a lovely evening.His Spanish is fluent.The box was heavy.I was shocked.The campsite was a long way.

  1. Example

    It was such a lovely evening, we ate outside in the garden.

    AnswerIt was such a lovely evening, we ate outside in the garden.

  2. , he couldn't lift it on his own.

  3. , I'll never read them all.

  4. , I couldn't say a word.

  5. , every dog in the street started barking.

Put it together · Exercise 102.2 · part 2 of 2

Make one sentence from two. Choose a sentence from the box, then complete each sentence using so or such.

Use these

The fireworks were noisy.It was miserable weather.I've got a lot of emails.I had a big lunch.It was a lovely evening.His Spanish is fluent.The box was heavy.I was shocked.The campsite was a long way.

  1. , we stayed in and watched films all day.

  2. , people assume he's from Madrid.

  3. , we had to stop twice on the way.

  4. , I didn't want anything else to eat all day.

Put it together · Exercise 102.3 · part 1 of 2

Put the words in the right order.

  1. Example

    The bakery opened at six this morning. It doesn't usually open so early. (open / early / usually / so / doesn't)

    AnswerThe bakery opened at six this morning. It doesn't usually open so early.

  2. Why ? Nobody's done anything wrong. (a / such / mood / in / you / are / bad)

  3. The repair came to four hundred pounds. I'm . (much / it / amazed / so / cost)

  4. She said she'd read it in a book called The Golden Spoon, but . (such / there's / book / no)

  5. I'm sorry. I don't know why . (such / remark / I / made / a / silly)

Put it together · Exercise 102.3 · part 2 of 2

Put the words in the right order.

  1. Why ? Everyone in the library is looking at us. (talking / so / you / loudly / are)

  2. One weekend? How did you ? (shed / time / build / short / a / such / in / the)

  3. Why ? We could have stayed at a B&B. (expensive / you / an / hotel / did / such / book)

Put it together · Exercise 102.4 · part 1 of 2

Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.

  1. Example

    We enjoyed our trip to the Lakes. We had such ...

    We enjoyed our trip to the Lakes. We had such a good time.

    Example answerWe enjoyed our trip to the Lakes. We had such a good time.

  2. I like Callum. He's so ...

  3. I like Callum. He's such ...

  4. It's lovely to see you! I haven't seen you for so ...

  5. I thought the campsite would be quiet. I had no idea it would be such ...

Put it together · Exercise 102.4 · part 2 of 2

Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.

  1. The shops were packed. There were so ...

Lesson 102 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: enough and tooBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. so + adjective, such + noun–Not checkedB. Making the meaning stronger–Not checkedC. so and such meaning like this–Not checkedD. so long, such a long time; so much, such a lot–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked