日米会話学院 Podcasting

2006.12.27

047_Such_and_So

It's easy to get the words 'such' and 'so' confused when using them to show a high degree or high quality. Nichibei instructor Gretchen Van Cleave helps Hitoshi apply a simple grammar rule.

Kevin:

Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones.
With us here today to help us with our question is Nichibei Instructor Gretchen VanCleave. Hello Gretchen, It's good to see you.

Gretchen VanCleave:

Nice to see you too, Kevin.

Kevin:

And here with a question for this episode is Nichibei student Hitoshi. How are you doing Hitoshi? What's new with you?

Hitoshi:

Well actually, today I just finished my three-month English training course here at Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin. Today was the last day so we had a party.

Kevin:

That sounds like fun. So, what question do have for us today?

Hitoshi:

I think this is a simple problem, but one I always have trouble with.

Gretchen VanCleave:

What is it?

Hitoshi:

Here. take a look at this paper I wrote. This line here.

Gretchen VanCleave:

I like my boss very much. He is so nice guy.

Hitoshi:

Yes, that. My teacher marked out so and wrote in such a.

Gretchen VanCleave:

Yes that sentence should read. 'He is such a nice guy'.

Hitoshi:

OK, but why? What grammar rule is being used here?

Gretchen VanCleave:

Well, this is fairly simple. The word such goes before a noun as in this example, 'Kevin is such a baby'.

Hitoshi:

Kevin is such a baby

Kevin:

Hey!

Gretchen VanCleave:

Or before an adjective plus a noun as in this example 'Kevin is such a big baby'

Hitoshi:

Kevin is such a big baby.

Kevin:

Gretchen!

Gretchen VanCleave:

If you were to say 'Kevin is so a baby' that would be wrong.

Hitoshi:

OK, Such is before a noun or before an adjective plus a noun.

Gretchen VanCleave:

That's right.

Hitoshi:

I see. And when should I use 'so'

Gretchen VanCleave:

So is used before an adjective which is alone, without a noun. As in this example, 'Kevin is so babyish'.

Hitoshi:

Kevin is so babyish.

Kevin:

Hey stop it guys! I am not babyish!

Gretchen VanCleave:

Calm down. It's just an example Kevin! So is also used before an adverb, as in this example, 'Why do you talk so slowly?'

Hitoshi:

Why do you talk so slowly?

Gretchen VanCleave:

'So' can also be used before much, many, few, and little. For example, 'I've got so much to do, and so little time.

Hitoshi:

How about this...'I have so much charm but so few girlfriends'.

Gretchen VanCleave:

Yes, that's fine. And here's one more point. Use 'so much' or just much, (not 'so') before comparative adjectives like better, faster, cheaper. Here's an example, 'I feel so much better after exercise'. Not 'I feel so better'... that's wrong.

Hitoshi:

OK, I think I've got it.

Gretchen VanCleave:

Good! Now let me give you a quick test.

Hitoshi:

I'm ready.

Gretchen VanCleave:

I'll read a sentence and you repeat the sentence with so or such where you hear the tone.

Hitoshi:

OK. let's go.

Gretchen VanCleave:

My teacher is _____ smart!

Hitoshi:

My teacher is so smart!

Gretchen VanCleave:

Good! Next. My neighbor is _____ a friendly man.

Hitoshi:

My neighbor is such a friendly man.

Gretchen VanCleave:

Very good. next. My father walks ____ slowly.

Hitoshi:

My father walks so slowly.

Gretchen VanCleave:

Good Hitoshi. I think that should be enough. I think you've got it!

Hitoshi:

Thanks Ms.VanCleave.

Gretchen VanCleave:

I'm glad I could help.

Kevin:

Now let's try some more examples based on this episode's grammar point.
She is so beautiful
She is such a beautiful woman.
This jacket is so cheap.
This is such a cheap jacket.
He sings so beautifully.
He is such a beautiful singer.
I have so many friends.

END

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