Such or so?
Such is a determiner; so is an adverb. They often have the same meaning of ‘very’ or ‘to this degree’:
Those are such good chocolates.
Those chocolates are so good.
We use such + noun phrase and so + adjective or adverb phrase:
She is such a great cook.
Not:She is so great cook.
That was so unpleasant. (so + adjective)
Not:That was such unpleasant.
Why do you drive so fast? (so + adverb)
Not:Why do you drive such fast?
So but not such can also be used in front of much, many, little, few to add emphasis:
So much food was wasted every day.
Not:Such much food was wasted…
In those days there were so few doctors in our area.
Not: …there were such few doctors…
Typical errors
- We use such, not so, before a noun, even if there is an adjective before the noun:
They’re such snobs! They won’t speak to anyone else in the village.
Not:They’re so snobs…
Those are such cool shoes. Where did you get them?
Not:Those are so cool shoes.
- We use such, not so, before a noun phrase with the indefinite article a/an:
This is such a wonderful kitchen!
Not:This is a so wonderful kitchen!
- We use so, not such, before adjectives:
Thank you. You’re so kind.
Not:You’re such kind.
- We use so, not such, before adverbs:
She always dresses so elegantly.
Not:She always dresses such elegantly.
