by R. S. Karunaratne

When and where to use 'so'

The simple word 'so' can be used as an adverb, conjunction and a discourse marker.

'So' is used for emphasising qualities and feelings.

You are so beautiful.

John drives so fast.

I might faint, this place is so hot.

Your house is so clean.

Thank you for being so polite.

I didn't know you're so stupid.

We didn't know that he had so much money.

Wimala is ever so kind.

I am so tired I can sleep anywhere.

Are you so desperate to accept that job with a low salary?

I didn't know that the meal would be so expensive.

2. 'So' can be used for making comparisons.

Amanda passed her exam. Ted was not so lucky.

Mary is a good-looking girl, but Soma is not so beautiful.

3. 'So' is used along with 'that clause' to emphasize the quality of something or somebody.

The water was so clear that I could see the bottom of the well.

I am so hungry that I could eat a horse.

4. 'So' can be used along with "much, many, few/little" to emphasize the amount of something.

There were so many children in the class I couldn't see your son.

It is not surprising he has so little money.

He has so much money that he did not know what to do with it.

He has so few needs to ask for a salary increase.

5. 'So' is used before the verbs 'have', 'be' or 'do' to express the meaning "in the same way" or "in a similar way."

A: I have so many problems.

B: So have I.

A: I am allergic to tomatoes.

B: So is my mother.

6. 'So' is used to state the purpose of an action.

Take an umbrella so that you don't get wet.

Carry a map so that you don't get lost.

7. 'So' is used in answers to questions about opinions, beliefs, hopes etc.

A: Is that our train?

B: I hope so.

A: Is it going to rain?

B: I don't think so.

A: Is Marlon going to win?

B: I don't think so.

8. 'So' is used to say that something is also true for someone else.

A: I quite like this sari.

B: So do I.

9. 'So' is used to introduce something new into the conversation, or to return to a topic.

So, how's your mother?

So, that's what you do when I'm not around.

10. The following adjectives frequently follow 'so.'

I had to wait so long for his arrival.

I was so angry with Martha.

We never knew the film was so bad.

The teacher was so pleased with my performance.

She found the poem so easy.

Cleopatra was so beautiful.

Why are you so worried?

I am so glad now.

11. The following adverbs frequently follows 'so'.

I haven't seen him for so long.

You need a haircut so badly.

We cannot walk so far.

I love you so much.

You have returned so quickly.

I meet her so frequently.

12. Set phrases

So what if I am still a teenager? (It's not important)

We watched television for one hour or so. (vague statement)

I need a pen, paper, eraser and so on. (et cetera)

Know your

idioms

An idiom is a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning that is different from the meaning of each word understood on its own. Here are ten randomly selected idioms with three possible meanings under each idiom. Tick off (a), (b) or (c) and check your answers with the key.

1. The moment of truth came when I had to decide whether to vote for X or Y.

(a) the time to make

an important

decision

(b) enlightenment

(c) a clear view

2. The company has decided to inject some new blood into the organisation.

(a) experienced

people

(b) new recruits

(c) retired workers

3. My wristlet may seem expensive, but it is dirt cheap. (informal)

(a) very expensive

(b) not expensive

(c) extremely cheap

4. If you take a cup of tea, you will feel as fresh as a daisy.

(a) full of energy

and enthusiasm

(b) lazy

(c) sleepy

5. Father will skin me alive if I am late.

(a) praise

(b) criticise

(c) punish severely

6. The letter she sent hit me right between the eyes. (informal)

(a) pleased me

(b) shocked me

(c) saddened me

7. If you put your mind to it, you can finish the job today itself.

(a) put all your attention

(b) do not neglect

(c) decide positively

8. He made a killing on the estate so he can't be short of money. (informal)

(a) bargained

successfully

(b) made no profit

(c) earned a lot

of money

9. Read my lips! You are not going to have your way here. (informal)

(a) speak to me

(b) listen to me

(c) obey me

10. I heard about the vacancy by word of mouth.

(a) heard it from

other people

(b) saw an

advertisement

(c) somebody

phoned me

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 Key 1. (a), 2. (b), 3. (c), 4 (a), 5. (c), 6. (b), 7. (a), 8. (c), 9. (b), 10. (a)

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Starters :

Use of 'a, an, the' with singular nouns

We use 'a' or 'an' when we speak of somebody or something for the first time.

We use 'the' when we mention that person or thing a second time.

I found a pen in the class. I think the pen belongs to Selva.

Shyama's favourite pet is a cat. She calls the cat "Princess".

We use 'the' when it is clear to the reader or listener which person or thing we are referring to:

I left my car at the park opposite Lake House.

If you are going to the post office, mail this letter.

Prof. Nicholas travels around the world.

I have to be at the railway station at 6 a.m.

We use 'the' when there is only one such thing in the world.

Look at the moon, it's so beautiful.

The sun sets in the evening.

The air is fresh in the morning.

Tell me the truth.

Our ship crossed the equator.

We usually use 'the' before ordinal numbers.

Diana won the first prize in the competition.

Today is the 30th of March.

Note: An ordinal number is a number like first, second, third or fourth which shows the position of somebody or something in a list of items.

Activity

Fill in the blanks with 'a', 'an', or 'the'.

1. We checked into ........... hotel.

2. I got here ........... hour ago.

3. It is only ........... gesture.

4. We got ........... smell of fresh bread.

5. She ordered ........... hot coffee.

6 He offered me ........... piece of cake.

7. XYZ party needs ........... good leader.

8. You look ........... idiot!

9. We followed him into ........... living room.

10. You can see my photograph in ........... passport.

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Key

1. a, 2. an, 3. a, 4. the, 5. a, 6. a, 7. a, 8. an, 9. the, 10. the

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