102 : so and such

   A   

Compare so and such:

 

We use so + adjective/adverb:     so stupid,   so quick,     so nice,       so quickly I didn't like the book. The story was so stupid. I like Liz and Joe. They are so nice.

We use such + noun:     such a story,   such people We also use such + adjective + noun:     such a stupid story,  such nice people I didn't like the book. It was such a stupid story. (not a so stupid story) 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 (not a such big dog)

 

 

   B   

So and such make the meaning stronger:

 

It's a beautiful day, isn't it? It's so warm. (= really warm) It's difficult to understand him because he talks so quietly.	It was a great holiday. We had such a good time. (= a really good time) You always think good things are going to happen. You're such an optimist.
You can use so ... that: The book was so good that I couldn't put it down. I was so tired that I fell asleep in the armchair.	You can use such ... that: It was such a good book that I couldn't put it down. It was such nice weather that we spent the whole day on the beach.
We usually leave out that: I was so tired I fell asleep.	We usually leave out that: It was such nice weather we spent ...

 

 

   C   

We also use so and such with the meaning 'like this':

 

Somebody told me the house was built 100 years ago. I didn't realise it was so old. (= as old as it is) I'm tired because I got up at six. I don't usually get up so early. I expected the weather to be cooler. I'm surprised it is so warm.

I didn't realise it was such an old house. You know it's not true. How can you say such a thing? Note the expression no such ... : You won't find the word 'blid' in the dictionary. There's no such word. (= this word does not exist)

 

 

   D   

Compare:

 

so long   I haven't seen her for so long I've forgotten what she looks like.	such a long time   I haven't seen her for such a long time. (not so long time)
so far   I didn't know it was so far.	such a long way   I didn't know it was such a long way.
so much, so many   I'm sorry I'm late - there was so much traffic.	such a lot (of)   I'm sorry I'm late - there was such a lot of traffic.

 

 

 

※ realise : 

 

 

 

 

※ real :