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 PRACTICE ON POINTS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR

• Connect Summary
• Conn Diagnostic
• FANBOYS
• And / In addition
• And so / too
• Too / Either
• Both...and
• But / But still
• But not / Except
• But/ Though
• Rather than
• Because / of
• Because of / By
• Cause / Effect
• Because/ Though
• Cause-Effect Rev
• Because Clauses
• So/Such that
• So Phrases
• After / Before
• When / While
• By the time
• Time-related Clauses
• Connector Review
• Connector Edit
• Connector Paragr
• Parallel Phrasing
• Sentence Editing
• Related pages...

• On this page:
• So that/so…that
• Because/So
• Punctuation
• so…could
• So expressions
• Practice 1
• Practice 2
• Practice 3

So Phrases

Expressing purpose, cause-effect, or result

 

 

 

So that… / so … That

SO THAT		SO … THAT
Use so that to introduce a clause indicating a purpose.  So that is often used with can or could. ( In order is also used for purpose.)		Use so … that to place emphasis on the the cause.  Use an adverb or adjective after so.
ACTION We stayed out all night	PURPOSE so that we could watch a meteor storm.	CAUSE We stayed out so long (adv)	EFFECT that we were cold and tired in the morning.
We brought some blankets	so that we could keep warm.	The starts were so bright (adj)	that we were amazed.

Also see Stating Purpose (in order to)     

 

 

Because / So

BECAUSE		SO
Use because to introduce a clause giving a reason (cause).		Use so to join one clause to another and to add a resulting action to the first clause.  (conjunction)
CAUSE Because we stayed out so long,	EFFECT we were cold and tired in the morning.	CAUSE We stayed out all night,	EFFECT so we were cold and tired in the morning.
Because we brought warm blankets,	we were warm in the morning.	We brought blankets,	so we were warm in the morning.

See Consequently (so)
See Because / of 

 

 

Punctuation

NO COMMA	COMMA
Use no comma before these connectors for purpose.	Use a comma before so when the meaning is result. Use a comma after Therefore, Cause / Effect and As a result which are transition words that commonly occur at the beginning of an independent clause or sentence. A period or a semicolon may be used between the clauses.
The baby pulled the lever so (that) he could get some candy. The baby pulled the lever in order to get some candy. The baby pulled the lever to get some candy. The baby pulled the lever for some candy.	The baby cried, so his mother gave him some candy. The baby cried. Therefore, his mother gave him . . . The baby cried; consequently, his mother gave him . . The baby cried; as a result, his mother gave him . . .

Also see: Stating Purpose ;   FANBOYS  (punctuation)

 

 

 

So used with could

PURPOSE	RESULT
Use so that + could to indicate that an action was undertaken with the intent to reach a goal (future or past) which may or may not have been reached.	Use , so + could to indicate that an action was taken. As a result, an expected or unexpected ability occurred.
I took an Astronomy class so (that) I could identify stars.	I took an Astronomy class, so I could / can identify stars.

 

 

 

So

Expressions

 

 

So and So!  

SO	IN A SENTENCE	SO	IN A SENTENCE
so	It's so cold today.  I'm so glad to meet you.  (very)	, so	He left, so I left too. (result)
so	I want it so.  (in this way)	so that	I left so that I could catch a bus. (purpose)
so	He wants it and so do I.  (in the same way)	so...that	It was so hot that the candles melted. (result)
so-so	I'm feeling so-so today. (mediocre)	so to speak	He was pulling my leg, so to speak. (figuratively speaking)
so	I was so right there! (truly, indeed)	so much / many	We bought so much. (quantity)
so	Ten or so are here. (approximately)	so as	We laughed so as to make light of the situation. (for the purpose of)
So!	So!  You took the last piece. (exclamation of shock or discovery)	So what?	So what?  (Who cares? or What's the point?)

Related page:  so much / so many   

 

 

Practice1

Complete the sentence

 

Intent vs. Cause-effect

1. Read the sentence and decide which "so" to use. Select the response that best completes the sentence.
2. Then read the feedback for your response.

 

#	YOUR RESPONSE	FEEDBACK
1.	Scientists want to study such phenomena – so (that) , so they can understand bio-origins.   phenomena (plural noun) – phenomenon, an impressive occurrence of nature such (determiner) – like, of the same kind; this / these
2.	Scientists are studying the phenomena – so (that) , so they are learning a lot more about bio-origins.
3.	A rainstorm was approaching – so (that) , so the sky was overcast. (cloudy)
4.	Some people went up in airplanes and flew above the clouds – so (that) , so they could see the meteor showers.
5.	Some people were in airplanes above the clouds – so (that) , so they could see the meteor showers.
6.	Because of the danger of bullet-particles, satellites are being repositioned – so (that) , so they will be less likely to be damaged.   bullet (n.) –  high speed bits; less likely = lower chance
7.	Scientists, over the past century, have noticed that this Leonid storm occurs every 33 years – so (that) , so they predicted it would return this year.
8.	Scientists, over the past century, carefully noted the occurrences of meteor storms – so (that) , so they could predict exactly when the Leonid would return this year.
9.	The best view is expected to be in Asia – so (that) , so many scientists have flown there to make their observations.
10.	Many scientists have flown to Asia – so (that) , so they can be where the best view is expected.

 

 

Practice 2

Complete the sentence

 

 

Intent vs. Emphasis on cause-effect

1. Read the sentence and decide which "so" phrase to use.
2. Select the response that best completes the sentence.
3. Then read the feedback for your response.

 

#	YOUR RESPONSE	FEEDBACK
11.	The Leonid watchers had to drive – so far north that so far north so they could find a less cloudy view of the sky.
12.	The sky was – so cloudy that so cloudy so many Leonid watchers couldn't see the sky.
13.	People headed for the mountain tops. – So many people went that So many people went so they could get a good view of the night sky.
14.	Scientists in observatories have to work – so quickly that so quickly so they can photograph the meteor as it passes earth in the upper atmosphere.
15.	As it passes earth, the Leonid's trail is – so wide that so wide so it affects the upper atmosphere.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_meteor_shower

 

 

Practice 3

Complete the sentence

 

 

So vs. , So

1. Read the sentence and decide which "so" phrase to use.
2. Select the response that best completes the sentence.
3. Then read the feedback for your response.

 

#	YOUR RESPONSE	FEEDBACK
16.	In ancient times, people were frightened by meteor storms because they didn't understand what was happening – so , so they believed the storms were bad "omens". (sign of bad luck to come).
17.	In ancient times, people stayed inside – so , so they wouldn't have bad luck.
18.	Nowadays, people head for the mountains with warm sleeping bags – so , so they can sleep out and watch the "falling stars".
19.	National Parks provide safe camping grounds – so , so people can sleep outside in tents.
20.	I took an Astronomy class in college – so , so I can identify the stars in the sky.