B1-B2 GrammarB1+ Upper-intermediate

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

Explanation Exercises Downloads

Exercise 3

Exercises:1 2 3

Rewrite the sentences using so, such(a), so much, so many.

It was a beautiful day. We decided to go to the beach.It wasthat we decided to go to the beach.

I was tired. I couldn’t keep my eyes open.I wasthat I couldn't keep my eyes open.

He ate many biscuits. He got indigestion.He atethat he got indigestion.

I've got a lot of work to do. I don’t know where to start.I've gotto do that I don't know where to start.

It was horrible weather. We spent the day indoors.It wasthat we spent the day indoors.

He gave us a convincing excuse. We all believed him.He gave usthat we all believed him.

We had a lot of fun at the party. We are organising a new one.We hadat the party that we are organising a new one.

She speaks French very well. You think it’s her native language.She speaks Frenchthat you think it’s her native language.

The service is very good. The people keep coming back.that the people keep coming back.

She had good ideas. Several different companies wanted to employ her.She hadthat several different companies wanted to employ her.

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

So, such, so much, so many

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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.

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