English grammar: So and such

What this grammar point covers

‘So’ and ‘such’ are words used to make the meaning of adjectives or nouns stronger in English. They help to emphasize how much or how great something is.

When to use it

Use ‘so’ to make adjectives or adverbs stronger. Use ‘such’ to make noun phrases stronger, usually with an adjective. Both are often used to express surprise, admiration, or intensity.

Key forms

• so + adjective/adverb (e.g. so tall, so quickly)
• such + (a/an) + adjective + noun (e.g. such a beautiful day, such interesting people)

Examples

Tips

• Remember: Use ‘so’ with adjectives or adverbs, not nouns.
• Use ‘such’ with a noun, often with an adjective. If the noun is singular and countable, use ‘a/an’.
• Don’t use ‘so’ directly before a noun.