So that / Such that
Emphasizing qualities and characteristics
So–that vs. Such–that
| SO [ADVERB / ADJECTIVE] THAT | |
|---|---|
So is paired with a that-clause to create emphasis. So, an adverb, modifies or intensifies an adjective or adverb in the cause-clause. And that follows in the effect-clause with a remarkable or extraordinary comment. (Note that may be omitted, and very cannot be used in place of so.) |
|
| CAUSE | EFFECT |
The meteor storm was so beautiful |
that we watched it all night. |
The meteor storm passed so quickly |
that it went by in one week. |
|
|
| SUCH [ADJECTIVE + NOUN] THAT | |
|---|---|
Such is paired with a that-clause to create emphasis. Such, an adjective, modifies the adjective+noun phrase in the cause-clause. The that-clause complements the such-phrase with an effect of remarkable nature. Such is one of the few adjectives that occurs before the article of the noun. |
|
| CAUSE | EFFECT |
It was such a beautiful meteor storm |
that we watched it all night. |
It was such a quick meteor storm |
that it passed by in one week. |
It was such a sight
|
that we'll never forget it.
|
Predeterminer adjective — such [a sight], such [a display], such [a disaster] (CaGEL 551)
So that / Such that
Sentence Structure
Sentence Structure
| CAUSE CLAUSE | EFFECT CLAUSE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUBJECT (N) | PRED (V) | INTENSIFIER + MOD | SUBORD | CLAUSE | |
The meteor storm |
was |
so beautiful (adj.) |
|
that |
we watched it all night. |
The meteor storm |
appeared |
so suddenly (adv.) |
|
that |
we were awed by it. |
My friends and I |
saw |
so few falling stars (adj.) |
|
that |
we couldn't believe our back luck. |
My friends and I |
have |
so many questions (adj.) |
|
that |
we should save them for later. |
| SUBJECT (N) | PRED (V) | INTENSIFIER + MOD | OBJ (N) | SUBORD | CLAUSE |
It |
was |
such a cloudy (adj.) |
night |
that |
we couldn't see anything. |
The meteor storm |
makes |
such a large (adj.) |
sweep across the sky |
that |
it is visible almost everywhere. |
The city's street lamps |
give off |
such bright (adj.) |
light |
that |
we can barely see the stars. |
Categories: NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det – determiner; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; AdvP – adverb phrase; Adv – adverb; AdjP– adjective phrase; Adj – adjective; Subord – Subordinator; Coord – Coordinator; Interj – Interjection
Functions: Subject: Subject, Predicate: Predicator (V) Complement: elements required by the verb: object, indirect object, predicative complement Adjuncts: (optional modifiers) Adj, Adv
Mod – modifier (Adj, Adv)
So that
Emphasis vs. Effect
So – Emphasis vs. Effect
| INTENSIFIER | |
|---|---|
In the examples below, so modifies or intensifies an adjective or adverb in the cause-clause. And that follows in the effect-clause with a remarkable or extraordinary comment. |
|
| EVENT WITH EMPHASIS | REMARKABLE EFFECT |
The meteor storm was so beautiful |
that we watched it all night. (remarkable) |
|
that we couldn't believe our eyes. |
|
that we called everyone out to see it. |
|
that we shouted "ooow" and "awww". |
|
that we wished it would never end. |
|
*that we watched it. (not remarkable) |
| COORDINATING CONJUNCTION | |
|---|---|
So is also a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses together. So introduces the result of the event mentioned in the first clause. |
|
| EVENT (NO EMPHASIS) | LOGICAL EFFECT |
We heard about the Perseid meteors, |
so we watched the sky for them. |
We became hungry, |
so we went inside. |
I saw a falling star, |
so I made a wish. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Yellow highlighting marks an example of incorrect usage.
Also see Modifying an Adjective – so (degree adverbs)
Also see Cause & Effect and FANBOYS – so (conjunctions)
So that / Such that
So Much vs. Such
So Much vs. Such
| SO MUCH / MANY |
|---|
Use so much or so many to place emphasis on the quantity of the object-noun in the cause-clause. |
| EMPHASIS ON QUANTITY |
We will learn so much interesting information that it will take years to process it. |
We will see so many beautiful stars that it will be hard to count them. |
(so much – adjective + noncount noun) | SUCH |
|---|
Use such to place emphasis on the quality of the modifier to the object-noun in the cause-clause. |
| EMPHASIS ON QUALITY |
We will learn such interesting information that we will want to read more. |
We'll see such beautiful stars that we'll be amazed. |
*We'll see so beautiful stars that we'll be amazed. (incorrect) |
Also see Using Much & Many | Count and Non-count Nouns
Pop-Q "Such"
Common Mistakes
Errors and Solutions
| ERROR | SOLUTION |
|---|---|
*The night was so cold that we were cold. The result is unremarkable. It doesn't need emphasis. |
The night was so cold that we had to wear two coats / we had to turn the heat on in the car / we had to put a camping blanket around us. |
*The night was very cold that we were shivering. shiver (v.) –to shake slightly because of the cold |
The night was so cold that we wore two coats. |
*It was so cold night that we wore extra coats. |
It was such a cold night that we put a camping blanket around us. |
Grammar Notes
Traditional Grammar and Linguistic Description
Advanced
| SO | SUCH |
|---|---|
So is a degree adverb without an -ly suffix. (CaGEL 584) "Conditions under which that must or may appear" (CaGEL 952) |
Such is one of the few adjectives that occurs before the determiner. (CaGEL 435, 967) |
SUBJECT – PREDICATE
|
SUBJECT – PREDICATE
|
DETAIL – SO BEAUTIFUL THAT
|
DETAIL – SUCH A BEAUTIFUL…THAT
|
Clause; Subject / Predicate; Finite / Nonfinite; NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Comp – complement; Det – determiner; Adj – adjective; AdjP – adjective phrase; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; Sub – Subordinator
Practice
Watching the Perseids
Read
Last night was a bit cloudy. We couldn't see much. However, then the sky suddenly brightened up when the Perseids began to pass by. This particular meteor shower is a rare occurrence. It only comes every 33 years. The comet has a large wake. It passes through the earth's upper atmosphere. It is an awesome sight.
The shooting stars appear frequently. You can see two or three a minute. The meteor particles are small. They burn up before they reach the earth.
In fact, the meteor particles move very fast. They become bullets in space. For this reason, a meteor storm is a big threat to satellites. They have to be moved or turned away from the storm.
Scientists consider this a unique opportunity. They fly in aircraft to study the meteor showers. These observations will reveal important information. Scientists will be studying results for years.
aircraft (n.) – any man-made machine that can fly; singular and plural form is aircraft
atmosphere (n.) – the mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth.
bullets (n.) - extremely high speed objects (as in ammunition in a gun)
meteor (n.) – a piece of rock or metal that travels through space, and makes a bright line in the night sky when it falls down towards Earth
meteor storm / shower (n.) – a period when a large number of meteors fall toward earth
observation (n.) – the process of watching something or someone carefully for a period of time
occurrence (n.) – happening; event
particles (n.) – small pieces or bits
reveal (v.) – to make known something that was a secret or unknown; uncover, discover
satellite (n.) – a machine sent into space and goes around the Earth, moon or some other planet
shooting stars or falling stars (n.) – pieces of rock or metal
threat (n.) – something that can cause harm or damage
unique (adj.) – being the only one of its kind; special
wake (n.) – the particles that are spread out behind the comet
from space and that burn brightly as they fall toward Earth
Adapted from: NASA Chat. "Up All Night to Watch the Perseids." 12 Aug 2011 NASA. Web. 15 Aug 2011
Change a few of the sentences from the story above to so that / such that sentences.
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