Page 216 - English Grammar in Use

Unit
102 so and such

A Compare so and such:
We use so + adjective/adverb: We use such + noun:
so stupid so quick such a story such people
so nice so quickly We also use such + adjective + noun:
such a stupid story such nice people
I didn’t like the book. The story was so I didn’t like the book. It was such a
stupid. stupid story. (not a so stupid story)
Everything happened so quickly. I like Liz and Joe. They are such nice
people. (not so nice people)
We say such a … (not a such):
such a big dog

B So and such make the meaning stronger:

I’ve had a busy day. I’m so tired. We had a great trip. We had such a good
(= really tired) time. (= a really good time)
It’s difficult to understand him. He talks You always think good things are going
so quietly. to happen. You’re such an optimist.
You can use so … that: You can use such … that:
I was so tired that I fell asleep in the It was such nice weather that we spent
armchair. the whole day on the beach.
We usually leave out that: We usually leave out that:
I was so tired I fell asleep. It was such nice weather we spent …

C So and such also mean ‘like this’:

Somebody told me the house was built I didn’t realise it was such an old house.
100 years ago. I didn’t realise it was You know it’s not true. How can you
so old. (= as old as it is) say such a thing? (= a thing like this)
I’m tired because I got up at six. Note the expression no such … :
I don’t usually get up so early. You won’t find the word ‘blid’ in the
I expected the weather to be cooler. dictionary. There’s no such word.
I’m surprised it is so warm.
(= this word does not exist)

D Compare:
so long such a long time
I haven’t seen her for so long I’ve I haven’t seen her for such a long time.
forgotten what she looks like. (not so long time)

so far such a long way
I didn’t know it was so far. I didn’t know it was such a long way.

so much, so many such a lot (of)
I’m sorry I’m late – there was so much I’m sorry I’m late – there was such a lot
traffic. of traffic.

204 not so … as ➜ Unit 107A such as ➜ Unit 117A