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Unit 102 · Adjectives and adverbs

so and such

Study

A

We use so + adjective/adverb:

so stupid so quick
so nice so quickly
›

I didn’t like the book. The story was so stupid.

›

Everything happened so quickly.

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

B

So and such make the meaning stronger:

›

I’ve had a busy day. I’m so tired. (= really tired)

›

It’s difficult to understand him. He talks so quietly.

You can use so … that:

›

I was so tired that I fell asleep in the armchair.

We usually leave out that:

›

I was so tired I fell asleep.

›

We had a great trip. 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 such … that:

›

It was such nice weather that we spent the whole day on the beach.

We usually leave out that:

›

It was such nice weather we spent …

C

So and such also mean ‘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? (= a thing like this)

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.

so far

›

I didn’t know it was so far.

so much, so many

›

I’m sorry I’m late – there was so much traffic.

such a long time

›

I haven’t seen her for such a long time. (not so long time)

such a long way

›

I didn’t know it was such a long way.

such a lot (of)

›

I’m sorry I’m late – there was such a lot of traffic.

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

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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102.1

Put in so, such or such a.

  1. 1
    It was a great holiday. We had good time.example
  2. 2
    Everything is expensive these days, isn’t it?
  3. 3
    He always looks good. He wears nice clothes.
  4. 4
    I couldn’t believe the news. It was shock.
  5. 5
    What a nice garden! These are lovely flowers.
  6. 6
    The party was great. It was shame you couldn’t come.
  7. 7
    I was glad to see that he looked well after his recent illness.
  8. 8
    I have to go. I didn’t realise it was late.
  9. 9
    Why does it always take you long time to get ready?
  10. 10
    Everything went wrong. We had bad luck.
102.2

Make one sentence from two. Choose from the box, and then complete the sentences using so or such.

The music was loud.It was horrible weather.I’ve got a lot to do.I had a big breakfast.It was a beautiful day.Her English is good.The bag was heavy.I was surprised.The hotel was a long way.
  1. 1
    , we decided to go to the beach.example
  2. 2
    , she couldn’t lift it.
  3. 3
    , I don’t know where to begin.
  4. 4
    , I didn’t know what to say.
  5. 5
    , it could be heard from miles away.
  6. 6
    , we spent the whole day indoors.
  7. 7
    , you would think it was her native language.
  8. 8
    , it took us ages to get there.
  9. 9
    , I didn’t eat anything for the rest of the day.
102.3

Put the words in the right order.

  1. 1
    I got up at six this morning.
    I don’t usually get up . (get up / early / usually / so / don’t)example
  2. 2
    Why ? There’s plenty of time. (a / such / hurry / you / in / are)
  3. 3
    It took us an hour to get here.
    I’m . (long / it / surprised / so / took)
  4. 4
    He said he worked for a company called Elcron, but
    . (such / there’s / company / no)
  5. 5
    I regret what I did. I don’t know why
    . (such / thing / I / did / a / stupid)
  6. 6
    Why ? Can’t you drive faster? (driving / so / you / slowly / are)
  7. 7
    Two months? How did you
    ? (English / time / learn / short / a / such / in)
  8. 8
    Why ? You could have got a cheaper one. (expensive / you / an / phone / did / such / buy)
102.4

Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.

  1. 1
    We enjoyed our holiday. We had such .example
  2. 2
    I like Kate. She’s so .
  3. 3
    I like Kate. She’s such .
  4. 4
    It’s good to see you again! I haven’t seen you for so .
  5. 5
    I thought the airport was near the city. I didn’t realise it was such .
  6. 6
    The streets were crowded. There were so .