skip navigation
 

Meteor Shower

"So" Phrases

Examining the Uses of  So

 

 

 

So... that vs. so that
SO (THAT) SO (adj / adv) THAT

ACTION / EFFORT

PURPOSE

CAUSE

EFFECT

We stayed out all night.

We watched the meteor storm.  

We stayed out all night.

We were cold and tired in the morning.  

We stayed out all night so (that) we could watch a meteor storm. (often with can or could)

We stayed out so long that we were cold and tired in the morning.  (long = adverb)

We stayed out all night in order to watch a meteor storm.

The meteor storm was so beautiful that we stayed out all night.  (beautiful = adjective)

 An effort is made with a specific purpose or future goal in mind.

 An action - past, present or future -has unplanned effects.

 

 

 

So...that – So
EMPHASIS / RESULT – SO (adj / adv) THAT RESULT –  SO  

So...that  places emphasis on the adjective or adverb.

COMMA – Use so to add a clause indicating a resulting action.

CAUSE

EFFECT

CAUSE

EFFECT

We stayed out all night.

We were cold and tired in the morning.  

We stayed out all night.

We were cold and tired in the morning.  

We stayed out so long that we were cold and tired in the morning. 

We stayed out all night, so we were cold and tired in the morning.

 

 

 

So (that) – So
PURPOSE – SO   RESULT –  SO  

NO COMMA – Use so /so that before a clause indicating purpose or objective.

COMMA – Use so to add a clause indicating a resulting action.

The baby pulled the lever so (that) he could get some candy.

The baby cried, so his mother gave him candy.

baby reaching for gumball

baby crying  

No comma:
The baby pulled the lever so (that) he could get some candy.
The baby pulled the lever in order to get some candy.
The baby pulled the lever to get some candy.
The baby pulled the lever for some candy.

Comma: (or semi-colon between clauses)
The baby cried, so his mother gave him some candy.
The baby cried, therefore, his mother gave him . . .
The baby cried; consequently, his mother gave him . .
The baby cried; as a result, his mother gave him . . .

 

Related page: FANBOYS

 

 

 

 

 

Read & Contrast

Commonly Confused

 

 

 

So used with could
PURPOSE  - NO COMMA  - FUTURE INTENT RESULT - COMMA  - PRESENT REALITY

I took an Astronomy class so I could identify stars.

I took an Astronomy class, so I could / can identify stars.

MEANING:

I took the class with the intention of being able to identify stars.

MEANING:
I took the class in college. As a result of taking it, I could (then) and can (now) identify serveral stars, understand the paths of the planets and name the constellations.

The action was undertaken with the intent to reach a goal (future-past) which may or may not have been reached.

The action was taken. Some expected and unexpected results occurred.

 

 

So and So!  

so

It's so cold today.  I'm so glad to meet you.  (very)

, so

He left, so I left too. (result)

so

I want it so.  (in this way)

so that

I left so that I could catch a bus. (purpose)

so

He wants it and so do I.  (in the same way)

so . . . that

It was so hot that the candles melted. (result)

so-so

I'm feeling so-so today. (mediocre)

so to speak

He was pulling my leg, so to speak. (figuratively speaking)

so

I was so right there! (truly, indeed)

so much/many

We bought so much. (quantity)

so

Ten or so are here. (approximately)

so as

We laughed so as to make light of the situation. (for the purpose of)

So!

So! You took the last piece. (exclamation of shock or discovery)

so what?

So what?  (Who cares? or What's the point?)

 

 

 

 

 

CometPractice1

Leonids - Meteor Showers

 

 

 

Read the sentence and decide which "so" phrase should be used. 
  1. Select your response.
  2. Then, read the feedback about your reponse.
# YOUR RESPONSE  YOUR RESPONSE FEEDBACK
1.     phenomena = phenomenon (plural) = an impressive occurrence of nature


 
2.


 
3.


 
4.


 
5.

(that)
 
6.   bullet = high speed bits; less likely = lower chance


 
7.  


 
8.  
 
9.  


 
10.

 
 
   

 

 

 

 

Practice 2

 

 

Read the sentence and decide which "so" phrase should be used. 
  1. Select your response.
  2. Then, read the feedback about your reponse.
# FEEDBACK YOUR RESPONSE
11.


 
 
12.


 
 
13.



   
14. quickly   


 
 
15.  


 
 
   

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_meteor_shower

 

 

 

 

Practice 3

 

 

 

Read the sentence and decide which "so" phrase should be used.
  1. Select your response. Pay attention to the punctuation.
  2. Then, read the feedback about your reponse.
# YOUR RESPONSE FEEDBACK
16.        
17.      
18.      
19.     
 
20.     
 
   

 

 

 

 

Index   Grammar-Quizzes   |  Previous  So/Such that   |   Next  Cause-effect

 

 Located in:  * Adverb Summary   ** Conditional Summary   ***Punctuation Summary