Certain words in English sound exactly the same as each other and can be confusing. In fact, many native English speakers confuse there words as they sound similar or have similar meanings. We are going to explain the difference between SO and SUCH so that you do not make the same grammatical mistakes.

So and Such are intensifiers that have the meaning really or very.

So:

So + adjective + that

When we use so, we do not use a noun. For instance, My brother is so kind ~~man~~ that he has a huge group of friends.

He is so cool that I want to be just like him. He is my idol.

My boss is so hardworking that he doesn’t even take breaks.

The house that I have bought was so expensive that I won’t be able to afford to go on holiday.

So + much/many/little/few + that

I ate so much last night that I couldn’t sleep very well.

I’m really popular and I have loads of friends, in fact, so many that I can’t even name them all.

I did so little yesterday that today I need to work overtime.

I like bees, but there are so few nowadays that we need to find a solution.

So + much/little + uncountable noun

We use so much/little with an uncountable noun afterwards

I drank so much water that I needed to go to the bathroom during the meeting.

My boss does so little work that he doesn’t deserve his high salary.

So + many/few + countable nouns

We use so many/few with a countable noun afterwards

He has so many cars that he needs a huge garage to store them all.

They have so few possessions that they don’t even need a garage.

So/as + adjective + as = the same as

So can be a substitute for as in a comparative sentence

My sales figures are so high as the rest of the employees of my position.

Follow the link to the comparative grammar: COMPARATIVES GRAMMAR

Fixed phrases:

So that = in order + infinitive

… and so on = … and so forth

So far = to a certain extent

So long as = providing that

How so = How

Even so = nevertheless/in spite of that

So what = used as a colloquial reply to something without importance

Just so = used to express something that is arranged or agreed

Every so often = every now and again” from time to time

Not so fast = used to insist that someone slows down

So and so = this and that

Such: such + adjective + noun + that

When we use such we must include a noun.

That was such an awful meal that I won’t go back.

My workmate is such a lazy person that everyone in the office criticizes her.

It is such an amazing place to live that everyone wants to move here.

Fixed phrases:

… and such like = … and so on.

such as = for example

no such thing = something does not exist

Such and such = used to make reference to something that does not need to be specified.

No such luck = used to show disappointment that something has not happened.

Ever such = extremely

Such is life = used to express acceptance for something that is often unwanted.

To use grammatically correct English, it is essential to know the difference between these similar words, for more information see one of our courses.

Practice questions:

Do you know anyone who is so annoying that you don’t like spending time with them?

When was the last time that you has such a great time that you couldn’t believe your luck?
Have you ever had such a bad time at work that you had to quit your job?
So long as you get a degree, is it easy to get a job?