Language Research

so · adverb

/soʊ/Full view

so (VERY)

A2 used to emphasize the quantity, quality or amount of something

Dictionary examples:

The house is so beautiful.

Don't be so stupid!

I didn't know she had so many children!

Thank you so much for all your help.

I've never seen so many people in one place before!

I'm so tired (that) I could sleep in this chair!

Learner example:

Thank you so much for [your] help! (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

so (MENTIONED EARLIER)

A2 used to refer to something that has just been mentioned, especially to give a short answer to a question

Dictionary examples:

"I hope they'll get here on time." "I hope so too."

"Do you think he's upset?" "I don't think so."

James is coming tonight, or so he said.

Learner example:

I've just watched the Rugby World Cup final with my dad. Did you watch it? I hope so, because it was just fantastic. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

and so on

A2 used after a list of things to show that you could have added other similar things

Dictionary example:

She plays a lot of tennis and squash and so on.

Learner example:

I like watching television, playing [on] the computer, reading book[s] and so on. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

so did we/so have I/so is mine, etc.

B1 used to say that someone else also does something or that the same thing is true about someone or something else

Dictionary example:

"We saw the new Star Trek movie last night." "Oh, so did we."

Learner example:

My eyes went watery and so did hers but then we laughed at each other. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Korean)

so far

B1 until now

Dictionary example:

So far only seven people have entered the race.

Learner example:

So far I like it here very much. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Croatian)

or so

B1 approximately

Dictionary example:

"How many people were at the party?" "Fifty or so, I guess."

Learner example:

Well you told me about your situation and after thinking a lot, I thought you should go with them for a week or so, and then just take a plane and come to Barcelona to visit me. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Catalan)

if so

B2 if this is the case

Dictionary example:

It might rain this afternoon. If so, we'll have to have the party indoors.

Learner example:

I hope you are interested, and if so, I'll see you next summer. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

so as to

B2 in order to

Dictionary example:

I always keep fruit in the fridge so as to keep insects off it.

Learner example:

I would be interested in having skiing lessons too so as to improve my level w[h]ich I consider is not very high. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

to do so

C1 if you do this, or if this is done

Dictionary examples:

They want to build a completely new school, but to do so would cost far too much.

I would strongly advise you against taking out a loan of this size. To do so would be a great risk to your business.

Learner example:

It is generally believed that if [a] better education is provided, children are better prepared for adult life. To do so, money is essential. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Japanese)

even so

C1 used to emphasize that something surprising is true despite what you have just said

Dictionary example:

Car prices have gone down a lot, but even so, we couldn't afford to buy one.

Learner example:

I'm sure many of [these things] happened due to bad luck, but even so, there are some arrangements that, I bel[ie]ve, can easily be improved. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

so much for...

C2 used to say that something has not been useful or successful

Dictionary example:

"The computer crashed again." "So much for modern technology."

Learner example:

Well, so much for my virtues since I can't keep my big mouth shut. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

only so much/many

C2 used to say that there are limits to something

Dictionary example:

There's only so much help you can give someone.

Learner example:

The effects of a longer life span have many side ef[f]ects such as an increase in the world's population and, since there is only so much food, m[any] more people are st[ar]ving to death. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

so as not to do sth

C1 used for saying what the purpose of an action is

Dictionary example:

He went in very quietly so as not to wake the baby.

Learner example:

Secondly, I think we should plan some other kind of activities in case of bad weather and we should have more than one bus with us so as not to waste time in case it breaks down. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

I told you so

C2 used to say that you were right and that someone should have believed you

Dictionary example:

He's lazy? I told you so, didn't I?

Learner example:

See, I told you so", Azman said with a grin. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)

every once in a while / every so often

C2 sometimes, but not often

Dictionary examples:

You meet some really interesting people every once in a while.

He went into town every so often to buy supplies.

Learner example:

And likewise, common sense tells us it doesn't matter that oranges from Spain contain 0.01% more vitamin C than those from Florid[a], as long as we eat them every once in a while. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

so far, so good

C2 used to say that something has gone well until now

Dictionary example:

It's the first time I've done any decorating, but so far, so good.

Learner example:

So far, so good, only no one told us they held this point of view before the actual christening took place. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

so to speak

C2 used to explain that the words you are using do not have their usual meaning

Dictionary example:

I do have a blog, so yes, I am a writer, so to speak.

Learner example:

Maintaining a good working relationship with your colleagues is one of the critical factors in keeping the company you work for afloat, so to speak. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

so · conjunction

/soʊ/

so (REASON)

A2 used to say that something is the reason why something else happens

Dictionary examples:

I was tired so I went to bed.

Greg had some money so he bought a bike.

My knee started hurting so I stopped running.

I was lost so I bought a street map.

Learner example:

I'm going to change my school, so I have to sell all my books. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)

so (SENTENCE BEGINNING)

A2 used at the beginning of a sentence to connect it with something that was said or happened previously

Dictionary examples:

So, there I was standing at the edge of the road . . .

So, just to finish what I was saying earlier . . .

So, who do you think is going to win the election?

So, what time do you want to leave?

So that's the plan.

So we leave on the Thursday and get back the next Tuesday, is that right?

Learner example:

I remember you said that you want to help me. So, can you buy the items for me and then I['ll] pay you? (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

so (that)

B1 in order to make something happen or be possible

Dictionary examples:

He put his glasses on so that he could see the television better.

I deliberately didn't have lunch so (that) I would be hungry tonight.

Leave the keys out so (that) I remember to take them with me.

Learner example:

Could you please give me some extra exercises so that I can cover the work I missed? (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)