So

It’s a fact of grammar that most of the times, shortest words are the one that can create a problem for the learners. I guess you won’t be surprised to hear that because there are so many short words in English that are very common yet helpful. Such as: is, too, be, so etc.  

These short words have many different meanings, and they alter their meaning based on their area of usage. Other definition of such most straightforward terms can be confusing. Therefore, it should be of utmost preference for a learner to learn and remember different meanings and usage of such teeny-weeny words. 

One of the common examples of such short words is ‘SO’. The word ‘So’ has a lot of different meanings and uses. It is used a lot in speaking. In this lesson, you are going to learn various uses of it. 

Uses of So

There are different uses of ‘So’. Focus on the example of each use to get a better understanding. 

1. Result 

We can use ‘So’ as a conjunction between two clauses to describe the relationship of cause and effect or reason and result. This is one of the common usages of ‘So’ as a subordinating conjunction. 

Example: 

• I prepared for the exams very well, so I got 1st position. 
• It is no more raining outside, so I am going to play in the garden.
• My sister has a good job, so she has a lot of money. 

1. Purpose (So that)

We can use "So that" to express the purpose of something. Do not confuse yourself with purpose and result both are different things for English speakers. You can also use "So" to express purpose, but people prefer to use "So that" to avoid ambiguity. To understand the difference between purpose and result, focus on the 1st example of both uses. 

Note: you can use any modal verb in the subordinate clause.

Example: 

• I am preparing for the exams very well so that I can get 1st position. 
• I am going to an English academy, so that I may learn English. 
• I slept earlier so that I wouldn't get late for my class. 

1. Addition (So is my/ So do I)

We use "so" to add something. In "addition", the meaning of "So" can be "as well as", "too' or "in the same way". In this usage, "So" is followed by modal or auxiliary verbs and then subject. We use this to avoid duplication or repetition of a verb. In this way, we invert the subject and verb and remove the main verb. 

Example: 

• I study at an engineering university, so does my brother. 
• His mother is a doctor, so is he. 
• I lived in America, so did my best friend. 

1.  Very / Degree (So loud)

We can use "So" when we want to express a degree of something.  It means "to such a great extent".  So is a degree adverb which modifies adverbs and adjectives. 

Example:

• She is so nice. 
• That dress is so comfortable. 
• You are speaking so loudly. 
• You seem so sad today. 
• She is so nervous. 

1. To express confirmation or agreement 
2. An unspecified person (So and So)

To express confirmation about something and give a precise and short answer, we can use "So" to have the meaning of "that is true", "that" or "it is". It acts as a substitute to avoid repetition of the object clause. It can be used to answer a question. 

Example: 

• Your friend was at the party. My brother told me so. 
• So, you have completed your homework. Right?
• Do we have enough food for today? I don't think so.
• Will you attend your manager's birthday party? I think so. 

You can use the phrase "so and so" or "so-and-so" to mean an unspecified person. 

Example: 

• So-and-so told me you failed the exam. 
• So-and-so said you were not coming to the party. 
• So-and-so said you were angry. 

You can also use it to express flawed thinking about someone. 

Example: 

• I can trust him, so-and-so. 
• You can't trust that so-and-so. 

1. To mean little bit (So - so)

You can use “So – so" to mean little bit or not to good nor too bad. 

Example: 

• Do you speak French?  So – so. 
• Are you feeling sleepy? So- so 
• I am feeling so – so today. 

1. To express surprise (So!)

To express surprise, astonishment, or any other emotion, you can use so along with exclamatory sign at the sentence's start. 

Example: 

• So! Are you sure you want to buy this car? 
• So! This is your final decision. 
• So! You don’t want your mobile phone anymore. 

1. To a very great extent / to such a great degree (So much so)
2. Showing less importance towards something (So what?)

We can use "so much so" to show that our previous statement is true to a very great extent, that's why we have this result. 

Example: 

• His art is so realistic, so much so that the head couldn't differentiate between the painting and a photograph. 
• It was a great day, so much so that I couldn't forget it till today. 

We can use "so what" to mean that it is not essential, or you don’t care at all about it. 

Example: 

• So what if you don’t like it? I haven’t made it for you either!
• I don’t like your dress. So what? I don’t care whether you like it or not. 

1. Condition (So long as) 

You can use “So long as” to mean provided that or on some conditions. 

Example: 

• I will lend you my books so long as you return me my book on time. 
• I will go with you for shopping so long as you will get me a new shoe. 

Conclusion: 

In this lesson, we learned different uses and meaning of "So". As mentioned above, this short word has many different purposes. Most of them have been explained in this lesson, but there are a few more uses which are somehow a blend of these uses.