so

so1 [ sou ] function word ***

So can be used in the following ways:

as an adverb (followed by an adjective or another adverb):

Why are you so angry this morning?

It all happened so quickly. (with a verb):

We were so looking forward to meeting your family. (followed by an auxiliary or modal verb and then its subject):

I'm hungry. So am I. (followed by an adjective and a or an and a singular countable noun):

The yard seemed small for so large a house.

as a conjunction (connecting two clauses):

There weren't enough beds, so I had to sleep on the floor.

as a way of starting a new sentence:

So, when do you start your new job?

in the conjunction phrase so that:

He was standing in the shadow so that I could not see his face clearly.

1. ) used for emphasis

a ) used for emphasizing a quality, feeling, or amount:

I'm so glad you could come.

Thank you for looking after me so well.

The food's wonderful, but it's so expensive!

so much/many: Like so many great artists, he died young.

b ) used when you are emphasizing a fact by saying what the result of it is:

The children couldn't sleep, they were so excited.

so...(that): The road surface became so hot that it melted.

Everything's changed so much I can hardly recognize the place.

so...as to be: His comments on the book were so childish as to be not worth considering.

c ) OLD-FASHIONED used for saying that someone does something a lot or feels something strongly:

worry/suffer etc. so: You shouldn't worry so. Nothing's going to happen to us.

so love/enjoy/appreciate etc.: She so loved watching the children play.

2. ) used instead of repeating what has just been said

a ) used for referring back to a possibility, fact, or situation that has just been mentioned:

I think/suppose/expect/hope etc. so: You're in love with Rita, aren't you? I thought so.

You're not really going to resign? No, I don't suppose so.

say so/tell someone so: If you wanted to leave early, you should have said so.

so they say/so they tell me/so I understand: I'm a quick learner. Or so they tell me.

if so: Does the President intend to go to Moscow? And if so, when?

more so/less so/very much so: Is Sybil the outdoor type? Oh yes, very much so.

b ) MAINLY SPOKEN used for saying that something that was just said is also true about another person or thing:

so is/does/can/will etc. someone: Heidi is planning to come, and so is Sylvia.

My parents send their love, and so does Rachel.

I'd like to know what's happening out there. So would I.

If I learned how to drive a car, so can you.

c ) be so used for saying or asking whether a statement is true:

Despite reports that the mayor was considering resigning, he has said that that is not so.

is that so?: Prices are down by 30% or more. Is that so?

d ) do so to do what has just been mentioned:

In 1998 the government promised to reform the law, but it has not yet done so.

e ) I told you so SPOKEN used for reminding someone that things have happened in the way you said they would:

I feel sick I shouldn't have eaten all that dessert. Well, I told you so.

f ) so be it used for saying that you accept a situation in which something has been decided or is necessary, although you are not happy about it:

If you've really decided to quit the music business, then so be it.

g ) so it is/so there are/so I have etc. used for agreeing with what someone has said and showing that you are a little surprised by it:

Look at the picture again isn't that your Uncle Toby? So it is!

3. ) because of what has just been mentioned used for saying that something happens, or someone does something because of what you have just mentioned:

She thought there might have been an accident, so she called the police.

He was born in France, so he also has a French passport.

A tree had fallen across the road, so they had to turn around and go back.

so that: The window was covered so that it was not possible to see inside.

4. ) used in comparisons

a ) not so...(as) used for saying that one person or thing has less of a particular quality than another:

It's an attractive car but not so exciting to drive as the Ford Mustang.

The idea is not so silly as it sounds.

The Rosario family managed to flee, but others were not so lucky.

b ) just as...so (too) FORMAL used for showing that there is a connection between two situations or actions:

Just as the body needs regular exercise, so too an engine needs to be run at regular intervals.

5. ) used for stating a purpose used for saying what the purpose of an action is:

so (that): He lowered his voice so that no one would hear.

I'll get a map so we can plan where we're going.

so as (not) to do something: In Tehran the wives of foreign diplomats wore headscarves so as not to offend the Iranians.

The Athletics Federation has introduced stricter regulations so as to prevent cheating.

6. ) used for starting a statement in a conversation SPOKEN

a ) used for continuing a conversation, especially for starting a new subject or starting to ask a question:

So, let's get down to business.

So, what do you suggest we do to make up the lost time?

b ) used for introducing a question in order to make sure that what you have heard or noticed is correct:

So, you've finally decided to come with us?

7. ) in such a way

a ) so or like so SPOKEN used when showing someone how something should be done:

Grasp the handle with both hands, so.

Tie the two ends together, like so.

b ) SPOKEN used when describing something and using your hands to show its size:

I need a couple of metal rods about so long.

c ) used for saying that someone makes or arranges something in such a way that there is a particular result:

Each course of studies was so arranged that students could combine their education with part-time work.

The architect had so designed the rooms that every window overlooked the lake.

8. ) used for saying that a particular fact is not important SPOKEN

a ) used for introducing a known fact before you make a comment to show that it does not matter:

Okay, so the guy made a few mistakes. That doesn't mean he isn't a good player.

b ) so what? INFORMAL used for saying in a slightly rude way that what someone has said does not matter or is not important:

Someone might see us. So what? We're not doing anything illegal.

9. ) used for stating a limit used for saying that a number or amount is limited:

I can only listen to her complaints for so long before I start to get angry.

only so much/many: We have only so much time before the exams start.

There are only so many police officers available for controlling the crowds.

and so on/forth

used instead of mentioning more of a similar type of thing that has already been mentioned:

They have a right to their own culture, their own religion, their own language, and so on.

Employees were always complaining about their wages, their working conditions, and so forth.

not so

not very:

I was born down on a farm, not so far from where my parents live now.

Skiing really isn't so hard you should try it.

not so very: Most of her ideas are not so very original.

or so

used for showing that a number or amount is not exact, but it is more than the number or amount you have mentioned:

The job won't take long about twenty minutes or so.

=> JUST1, LONG 2

so

so 2 [ sou ] noun count

the fifth note in the SOL-FA musical SCALE