4 So & Such

We use So and Such to show extreme feelings or opinions.

The structure for So and Such as exclamation is as follows:

• So + adjective/adverb + (that*).
• Such + (a/an) + adjective + noun + (that*);

*That is optional, it doesn’t change the meaning of a sentence.

• I took a taxi to save time but it was going so slowly.
• The food she had at midnight had so unpleasant (that) she could not eat it.
• We were served our food in such a beautiful presentation and in a short time.
• He is such a successful man! He always achieves his goals.

We can use So and Such to express extreme actions, feelings, opinions.

• So: Very, highly;
• Such: In an extreme degree.

So and Such are used to express our ideas but by putting more emphasis on them.

The way we use So and Such in a sentence differs:

• So + adjective/adverb + (that*) (e.g. such a long time);
• Such + (a/an) + adjective + noun + (that*) (e.g. so busy).

*That is optional, it doesn’t change the meaning of a sentence.

For example:
— “He was gone for such a long time that we thought they got lost.” = Such highlights the fact that he was away for a really long time.
— “They were so busy that they had to wake up in the early hours of the morning.” = So emphasises how busy they are.