So intensifies adjectives and adverbs: so tired, so quickly.Such intensifies noun phrases: such a good film, such beautiful weather. Both are often followed by a that clause to show result.
Exercises:
Exercise 1 (Easy): so or such?
Choose 'so' or 'such' to complete the sentence.
Exercises:
1
The film was ___ boring that I fell asleep.
2
It was ___ a beautiful day that we went to the beach.
3
She speaks ___ quickly that I can't understand her.
4
He's ___ a kind person.
5
The food was ___ good that we ordered it again.
6
They were ___ rude people that everyone complained.
7
I was ___ tired that I went to bed at 8pm.
8
It was ___ terrible weather that we stayed inside.
9
He ran ___ fast that he broke the record.
10
She has ___ long hair!
SO / SUCH
Intensifiers for making adjectives, adverbs and noun phrases stronger
SO + adjective
so+adjective
It was so cold.
He is so talented.
SO + adverb
so+adverb
She speaks so quickly.
He runs so fast.
SUCH (a) + noun phrase
such (a)+adj + noun
Such a cold day.
Such talented people.
Use SO
When the next word is an adjective alone or an adverb, with no noun following immediately.
It was so cold. / She speaks so quickly.
Use SUCH
When a noun (or adjective + noun) follows. Use such a/an with singular countable nouns.
It was such a cold day. / Such beautiful weather.
SO / SUCH … THAT
Both can be followed by a that-clause to show a result.
It was so cold that we stayed inside. / It was such a cold day that we stayed inside.
Uncountable & Plural Nouns
No article with uncountable or plural nouns, just such.
Such terrible weather. / Such lovely children.
!PATTERNS AT A GLANCE
Pattern
Example
so + adj
so tired, so beautiful
so + adv
so quickly, so well
such a/an + adj + singular noun
such a good idea, such an amazing view
such + adj + plural noun
such lovely children
such + adj + uncountable noun
such terrible weather, such good food
Common Mistake
❌
It was such cold that we wore coats.
✅
It was so cold that we wore coats.
❌
She's so talented singer.
✅
She's such a talented singer.
Quick rule: If the next word is a noun (or adj + noun) use such. If the next word is an adjective alone or adverb, use so.