so / such (that)

Rules

• Rule 1: so + adjective / adverb

  When there's no noun after it, use so. It goes with an adjective (what is it like?) or an adverb (how does someone do it?).

  Pattern: so + adjective · so + adverb

  Example: The puppy is so tiny.

  Example: You draw so well!

• Rule 2: such (a/an) + adjective + noun

  When there's a noun, use such. With a singular countable noun use such a / such an; with plural or uncountable nouns use just such.

  Pattern: such a/an + adjective + singular noun · such + adjective + plural/uncountable noun

  Example: She is such a talented artist.

  Example: These are such tasty strawberries.

• Rule 3: so many / so much / so few / so little

  Before many, much, few, little always use so, even with a noun! such a lot of works with both kinds of nouns.

  Pattern: so many / so few + plural · so much / so little + uncountable · such a lot of + both

  Example: There are so many birds in the park.

  Example: We have so little time!

• Rule 4: so / such … that (result)

  Add that to show the result. In everyday speech that is sometimes left out.

  Pattern: so + adjective + that … · such (a) + adjective + noun + that …

  Example: The story was so exciting that I read it in one night.

  Example: It was such a windy day that we flew our kites.

Common mistakes

• It was so a nice day. → It was such a nice day.

  There's a noun → such a.

• They are such a kind people. → They are such kind people.

  No “a” with plural nouns.

• There were such many cars. → There were so many cars.

  Use so before many.