Use such before an adjective plus noun phrase followed by that, as in it was such a difficult exam that half the class failed, and use so before an adjective, adverb, or quantity word like many, much, few, or little, followed by that, as in there were so many people that we couldn’t find a seat.
Grammar Rule
Such comes before a noun phrase; so comes before an adjective or adverb alone, or before quantity words like many/much/few/little.
So / Such Result Clauses (Advanced): Rules and Examples
| Word | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| such | + (adjective) + noun + that | It was such a difficult exam that half the class failed. |
| so | + adjective/adverb (+ a/an + noun) + that | It was so difficult an exam that half the class failed. |
| so | + many/much/few/little + noun + that | There were so many people that we couldn’t find a seat. He gave us so much information that we got confused. |
Remember: such + noun phrase; so + adjective/adverb/quantity word (many/much/few/little), never such many/much.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below choosing correctly between so and such in result clauses. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
B2-41. So/Such Advanced Result Clauses
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Frequently Asked Questions
When do you use such in a result clause?
Before an adjective plus noun phrase, as in it was such a difficult exam that half the class failed.
When do you use so in a result clause?
Before an adjective, adverb, or quantity word alone, as in there were so many people that we couldn’t find a seat.
Can you say such many or such much?
No, quantity words like many and much always take so, never such.
What word always follows the so/such clause?
The word that, introducing the result, as in it was such a difficult exam that half the class failed.