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Grammar 1 min read Published January 2025

So vs such - what's the grammar rule?

The rule: So goes before an adjective or adverb alone. Such goes before a noun (or adjective + noun).So + adjective/adverb:"It was so cold." (adjective alone)"She spoke so quickly." (adverb)"He's so annoying." (adjective alone)Such + (adjective) + noun:"It was such a cold day." (adjective + noun)...

The rule

So goes before an adjective or adverb alone. Such goes before a noun (or adjective + noun).

So + adjective/adverb

"It was so cold." (adjective alone)
"She spoke so quickly." (adverb)
"He's so annoying." (adjective alone)

Such + (adjective) + noun

"It was such a cold day." (adjective + noun)
"She's such a good teacher." (adjective + noun)
"He told such interesting stories." (plural noun - no article)

The trap

Adding a wrong:
"It's so a nice day." βœ— β†’ "It's such a nice day." βœ“
"She's such clever." βœ— β†’ "She's so clever." βœ“

With *that*

Both can introduce a result clause:
"It was so cold that we stayed inside."
"It was such a cold day that we stayed inside."

Memory trick

Such goes with a noun; so goes with just the adjective.

Frequently asked

What does "So vs such - what's the grammar rule?" mean?

The rule: So goes before an adjective or adverb alone. Such goes before a noun (or adjective + noun).So + adjective/adverb:"It was so cold." (adjective alone)"She spoke so quickly." (adverb)"He's so annoying." (adjective alone)Such + (adjective) + noun:"It was such a cold day." (adjective + noun)...

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