So, such (a), so much, so many

So, such, so much, so many: Grammar chart

Download full-size image from Pinterest

So, such

So + adjective or adverb + (that) …

We use so + adjective or adverb.

• Why don’t you try to understand? You are so stubborn!
• You’re getting on my nerves. Why do you drive so slowly?

We often use so + adjective or adverb + (that) …

• He is so good (that) he gets bored when he plays against me.  
• John drives so slowly (that) other drivers get impatient around him. 

Such a + (adjective) + noun + (that) …

We use such a + (adjective) + countable singular noun

• I love her. She is such a brilliant actress.
• It was such a party! We had a lot of fun. 

We often use such a + (adjective) + countable singular noun + (that) …

• It had been such a terrible day (that) I just wanted to go to bed. 
• He is such a liar (that) nobody trusts him any more. 

Such + (adjective) + noun + (that) …

We use such + (adjective) + uncountable noun or plural noun

• The trip was a disaster. We had such terrible weather!
• Everybody loves being with Tom. He tells such funny stories!

We often use such + (adjective) + uncountable noun or plural noun + (that) …

• We had such terrible weather (that) we decided to go back home. 
• She said such nice things (that) we were all moved. 

So and such: meaning

We can use so and such to make the meaning of an adjective, adverb or noun stronger (=very/really).

• Why did you do it? You are so stupid!
• He was such a terrible father that now his kids don’t want to be around him. 

We can also use so and such to mean ‘like this’.

• Sorry I didn’t call. I didn’t know it was so important for you. (=important like this).
• I don’t understand how you could make such a terrible mistake. (= a mistake like this)

So much, so many

So much + uncountable noun + (that) …

We use so much + an uncountable noun.

• Did you see her house? I didn’t know she had so much money. 
• I wish you wouldn’t spend so much time on the phone.

We often use so much + uncountable noun + (that) …

• She always cooks so much food (that) we have to throw half of it away. 
• There is so much furniture (that) it’s difficult to walk around the house. 

So many + plural noun + (that) …

We use so many + a plural noun.

• He couldn’t even walk among so many fans.  
• You don’t need to repeat everything so many times. 

We often use so many + plural noun + (that) …

• There were so many people at the concert (that) we didn’t really enjoy it. 
• She had so many problems (that) she just didn’t know what to do.