SO and SUCH - CAE Advanced

SO and SUCH
Check these rules...
RULE # 1
We often use so and such followed by a that clause to talk about a consequence or an effect. We
often omit the word (that) in informal situations. We use so before an adjective or adverb.
1. It was so cold (that) we decided not to play tennis.
2. Diana plays so well now (that) it's very difficult to beat her.
RULE # 2
We use so much with uncountable nouns and so many with plural nouns. We can also use such a
lot of instead of so much / so many.
3. There was so much noise (that) the players couldn't concentrate.
4. There were so many people outside the stadium (that) we couldn't find each other.
5. I had such a lot of work / such a lot of things to do (that) I had to stay at the office late.
RULE # 3
We use such a / such an + adjective + a singular countable noun. We also use such + adjective + an
uncountable or plural noun.
6. It was such an exciting match (that) I didn't want it to end.
7. It was such awful weather (that) the match had to be cancelled.
8. They were both such great players (that) everyone wanted to see the final.

RULE # 4
We often use so + adjective, and such + noun or noun phrase without the (that) clause as
exclamations.
9. It was such a lovely day!
10. She's so mean!
11. They're such nice people!

EXTRA INFORMATION
1)

We can use so + adjective / adverb at the beginning of a clause for emphasis. When we
do this the subject and verb are inverted.
1

SO and SUCH - CAE Advanced

So successful was the first night that people flocked to see the play.
This is much more formal than saying:
The first night was so successful that people flocked to see the play.

2)

The expression such as also means for example:

He loves winter sports, such as skiing and skating.

SO and SUCH - CAE Advanced

SO and SUCH
PRACTICE
ACTIVITY 1: Rewrite the following sentences adding only ONE word to make each sentence
correct. Then check the answers.

1.

My aunt has such big house that there's room for all of us to stay.
.

2. They've got so money that they don't know what to do with it.
.
3. She has a lot of washing that she doesn't know where to start.

4. It was such interesting documentary that we were talking about it for days.

ACTIVITY 2: Complete the second sentence using SO or SUCH, so that it means the same as the
first one. Then check the answers.
1. Our teacher has such a soft voice that you can hardly hear her.
Our teacher speaks . you can hardly hear her.
2. My grandparents' furniture is so old that it collapses if you use it.
My grandparents have it collapses if you use it.
3. Your boyfriend's nickname is so awful!
Your boyfriend has .. !
4. There was such a lot of jealousy among her nephews!
Her nephews ..of one another!