№49 English Grammar - So and Such

Summary

In this video, Antonia Raker explains the difference between the commonly confused English words 'so' and 'such.' Both mean 'really' or 'very,' but 'so' is used with adjectives and adverbs without nouns, while 'such' is used with nouns, either alone or with an adjective. The video highlights common mistakes, such as using 'so' when 'such' is needed. Antonia also covers the use of 'so' and 'such' with clauses, as well as the phrase 'no such.' With clear examples and explanations, viewers will better understand how to use these terms correctly in everyday English. The video also encourages learning both English and Russian.

Takeaways

• 😀 So and such both mean 'really' or 'like this', but they are used differently in sentences.
• 😀 So is used with adjectives or adverbs when there is no noun after it (e.g., 'so cute', 'so quickly').
• 😀 Such is used with adjectives + nouns or just nouns (e.g., 'such a nice guy', 'such people').
• 😀 A common mistake is using 'so' where 'such' should be used and vice versa, e.g., 'so good person' instead of 'such a good person'.
• 😀 When there is no noun after the adjective, use 'so'. When a noun follows, use 'such'. Example: 'This story is so great' vs. 'This is such a great story.'
• 😀 Both 'so' and 'such' can be used to introduce clauses, such as 'so + adjective/adverb + that' or 'such + adjective + noun + that'.
• 😀 'No such' is used with a noun to mean that something doesn't exist (e.g., 'There's no such word as 'englishness').
• 😀 Phrases like 'so long' and 'such a long time' or 'so far' and 'such a long way' are synonymous, but 'so' is used without a noun, and 'such' is used with one.
• 😀 'So much' and 'so many' are more commonly used than 'such a lot of', but the latter is also possible.
• 😀 The lesson encourages learners to use 'so' and 'such' correctly to avoid mistakes and improve English skills.
• 😀 Antonia provides weekly lessons on English and Russian, urging viewers to continue studying with her.

Q & A

What is the main difference between 'so' and 'such' in English?

'So' is used with adjectives or adverbs without a noun after them, while 'such' is used when there is a noun following the adjective.

Can 'so' be used with adverbs?

Yes, 'so' can be used with adverbs, like in the sentence 'You run so quickly.'

How is 'such' used in English?

'Such' is used when there is a noun following the adjective, for example, 'such a nice guy' or 'such a lovely story.'

What common mistake do intermediate English learners make with 'so' and 'such'?

Many learners incorrectly use 'so' instead of 'such' or vice versa, like saying 'He's so good person' instead of 'He's such a good person.'

Can 'so' and 'such' be used to form clauses in sentences?

Yes, both 'so' and 'such' can be used to introduce clauses. For example, 'The story was so good that I almost fell off my chair' or 'It was such a good story that I almost fell off my chair.'

What does 'such' mean in phrases like 'How can you be such a jerk?'

In this context, 'such' emphasizes the degree or quality of the noun, meaning 'How can you be a jerk like this?'

What does the phrase 'no such' mean in English?

'No such' is used to indicate that something doesn't exist, such as 'There is no such thing as bad publicity.'

What is the correct usage of 'so long' and 'such a long time'?

'So long' is used when there is no noun, like 'It took so long,' while 'such a long time' is used when there is a noun, as in 'It took such a long time.'

What is the difference between 'so much' and 'such a lot of'?

'So much' is more commonly used than 'such a lot of,' though both express a large quantity. For example, 'I love when there's so much snow outside' or 'I love when there's such a lot of snow outside.'

How does the speaker encourage the audience to keep practicing English?

The speaker encourages the audience to keep studying English and Russian by subscribing to the channel and following the lessons every week.