Grammar-Quizzes › Connectors › Subordinators › So…that vs. Such…that

So…that vs. Such…that

Intensify a quality before stating an effect

So…that vs. Such…that

SO…THAT
So is placed before a modifier — adjective or adverb — to intensify its quality or manner. This emphasis on the modifier expresses a remarkable situation. This clause can stand alone as a sentence, or it can be paired with that + clause to express an effect (result) of the remarkable situation mentioned in the main clause.
CAUSE	EFFECT
SO + ADV / ADJ	THAT + CLAUSE
The meteor storm was so beautiful (Adj)	that we watched it all night.
The meteor storm passed so quickly (Adv)	that it went by in one week.
It was so / very / too amazing	that we'll never forget it.

SUCH…THAT
Such is placed before a modifier and noun to intensify the quality of the modifier. This emphasis on the noun phrase expresses a remarkable situation. This clause can stand alone as a sentence or it can be paired with that + clause to express an effect (result) of the remarkable situation mentioned in the main clause.
CAUSE	EFFECT
SUCH + ADJ + NOUN	THAT + CLAUSE
It was such a beautiful meteor storm	that we watched it all night.
It was such a quick meteor storm	that it passed by in one week.
It was such an amazing sight	that we'll never forget it.

*not used — very or too cannot be used in place of so.

that is omitted in informal usage

An adjective is not required in a noun phrase with such. The quality being emphasized may be understood from contextual information. Such stress was placed on the foundation that the building began to sink. They built it in such a way that it was likely to sink. See Such "Uses" below.

Predeterminer modifier (a modifier placed before the article of the noun) — such a sight; such a display, such a disaster (Huddleston 551)

Predeterminer in a noun phrase — You are such a snob. (Arts 152) Such is one of few modifiers placed before the article of the noun.

Also see Cause & Effect Overview, Determiners (Such luck is rare), Predeterminer Modifiers (such, what), So many + infinitive vs. that. (There are so many to choose from. There are so many that we can choose.)

Word Categories: N – Noun; V – Verb; Aux – Auxiliary; Adj – Adjective; Adv – Adverb; P –Preposition; Det –Determiner. See Word Categories.

Phrasal Categories: NP – Noun Phrase; VP – Verb Phrase; AdjP – Adjective Phrase; AdvP – Adverb Phrase; PP – Prepositional Phrase; DP – Determinative Phrase.

Clausal Categories: Cls – clause; F – finite clause; NF – nonfinite clause: Ger – gerund; Inf – infinitive; PPart – past participle.

Word Functions: Subj – subject; Pred – predicate/predicator; Comp – complement: an element or elements required by a word or structure to complete its meaning in the clause (e.g., DO – direct object; IO – indirect object; PP - prep. phrase); Adjunct – adjunct: elements not required by an expression to complete its meaning (Subord – subordinator; Coord – coordinator); Supl – supplement: a clause or phrase added onto a clause that is not closely related to the central thought or structure of the main clause.

So…that / So [that]

Express emphasis vs. effect/result

So – Emphasis vs. Effect

INTENSIFIER
In the examples below, so modifies or intensifies an adjective or adverb in the cause-clause. And that follows in the effect-clause with a remarkable or extraordinary comment.
EVENT WITH EMPHASIS	REMARKABLE EFFECT
The meteor storm was so beautiful	that we watched it all night. (remarkable)
	that we couldn't believe our eyes.
	that we called everyone out to see it.
	that we shouted "ooow" and "awww".
	that we wished it would never end.
	*that we watched it. (not remarkable)

PREPOSITION
In the examples below, so is also a connective adverb complemented by a clause that expresses the logical effect or result (to the action in the main clause.)
CAUSE (NO EMPHASIS)	EFFECT / RESULT
We heard about the Perseid meteors,	so we watched the night sky to see them.
We became hungry,	so we went inside.
I saw a falling star,	so I made a wish.

*Yellow highlighting marks an example of incorrect usage.

Also see Modifying an Adjective – so (degree adverbs) and Because and FANBOYS – so (conjunctions) and pop question Pop-Q Resultive "so".

(Aarts 64, 156)

So much / Such

Emphasize quantity vs. quality

So Much vs. Such

SO MUCH / MANY
Use so much or so many to place emphasis on the quantity of the object-noun in the cause-clause.
EMPHASIS ON QUANTITY
We will learn so much interesting information that it will take years to process it. (so much – adjective + noncount noun)
We will see so many beautiful stars that it will be hard to count them. (so many – adjective + count noun)

SUCH
Use such to place emphasis on the quality of the modifier to the object-noun in the cause-clause.
EMPHASIS ON QUALITY
We will learn such interesting information that we will want to read more. (such – adjective + noncount noun)
We'll see such beautiful stars that we'll be amazed. (such – adjective + count noun)
*We'll see so beautiful stars that we'll be amazed. (incorrect)

Also see Using Much & Many | Count and Non-count Nouns

Solution - lightbulb Pop-Q "Such that"

"Such" Expressions

Differentiate "such" usage

Such

SUCH	IN A SENTENCE
SUCH of the kind	Such things are hard to understand. [modifier] "the kind already mentioned"
SUCH so much	It was such a cold day. (NOT a such cold day) [predeterminer modifier] emphasizes a description
SUCH so much → result	It was such a cold day that we stayed inside. [predeterminer modifier] cause-effect
SUCH of the kind→ result	The damage from the storm was such that it took weeks to recover. [pronoun] cause-effect
SUCH AS for example	Bring warm clothes such as wool sweaters, hats, and boots. [pronoun + prep phrase] "of the kind as..."
SUCH A WAY in the manner	The wind blew in such a way that it destroyed trees. [modifier] in this manner
SUCH AS IT IS this as it is	The economy such as it is requires a boost of some kind. [pronoun] "in its present state" (not so good)
SUCH (NOUN) of a particular group	Such people say one thing but do another. [determiner] generalizing expression; "of this kind"

SUCH

IN A SENTENCE

SUCH

of the kind

Such things are hard to understand.

[modifier] "the kind already mentioned"

SUCH

so much

It was such a cold day. (NOT a such cold day)

[predeterminer modifier] emphasizes a description

SUCH

so much → result

It was such a cold day that we stayed inside.

[predeterminer modifier] cause-effect

SUCH

of the kind→ result

The damage from the storm was such that it took weeks to recover.

[pronoun] cause-effect

SUCH AS

for example

Bring warm clothes such as wool sweaters, hats, and boots.

[pronoun + prep phrase] "of the kind as..."

SUCH A WAY

in the manner

The wind blew in such a way that it destroyed trees.

[modifier] in this manner

SUCH AS IT IS

this as it is

The economy such as it is requires a boost of some kind.

[pronoun] "in its present state" (not so good)

SUCH (NOUN)

of a particular group

Such people say one thing but do another.

[determiner] generalizing expression; "of this kind"

SUCH	IN A SENTENCE
AS SUCH like this	We will not accept the contract as such. Revise it. [pronoun] "as it exists now"
SUCH-AND-SUCH this and that	He is always talking about such-and-such a diet. [pronoun] "one or another" (indefinite); informal use
SUCH IS THE CASE this/that	You need to show your ID. Such is the case. [pronoun] "this as mentioned"
SUCH that to the degree	His pride was such that he wouldn't hire a translator. [pronoun] "to the extent that"
NO SUCH LUCK disappointment	We thought we would win. But no such luck. [modifier] "things happened differently than hoped"
NO SUCH THING doesn't exist ("a unicorn")	We looked for a computer technician who could manage people. But we found no such person. [modifier] "the combination didn't exist"
AND SUCH and the like	We discussed politics, the economy, culture, and such. [pronoun] "other things like those mentioned"
SUCH A __! truly!	Such an exciting day! What a remarkable day! [predeterminer modifier] [interjections]

SUCH

IN A SENTENCE

AS SUCH

like this

We will not accept the contract as such. Revise it.

[pronoun] "as it exists now"

SUCH-AND-SUCH

this and that

He is always talking about such-and-such a diet.

[pronoun] "one or another" (indefinite); informal use

SUCH IS THE CASE

this/that

You need to show your ID. Such is the case.

[pronoun] "this as mentioned"

SUCH that

to the degree

His pride was such that he wouldn't hire a translator. [pronoun] "to the extent that"

NO SUCH LUCK

disappointment

We thought we would win. But no such luck.

[modifier] "things happened differently than hoped"

NO SUCH THING

doesn't exist
("a unicorn")

We looked for a computer technician who could manage people. But we found no such person.

[modifier] "the combination didn't exist"

AND SUCH

and the like

We discussed politics, the economy, culture, and such.

[pronoun] "other things like those mentioned"

SUCH A __!

truly!

Such an exciting day! What a remarkable day!

[predeterminer modifier] [interjections]

Also see How and What Expressions. (What a disaster! Such a disaster!)

Common Mistakes

Errors and Solutions

Error and Solution

ERROR
*The night was so cold that we were cold. The result is unremarkable. It doesn't need emphasis. Use "and".
*The night was very cold that we were shivering. Use "so…that". shiver (V) –to shake slightly because of the cold
*It was so cold night that we wore extra layers. It was so cold a night that we wore extra layers. (archaic)

ERROR

*The night was so cold that we were cold. The result is unremarkable. It doesn't need emphasis. Use "and".

*The night was very cold that we were shivering. Use "so…that".

shiver (V) –to shake slightly because of the cold

*It was so cold night that we wore extra layers.

It was so cold a night that we wore extra layers. (archaic)

SOLUTION
The night was so cold that we had to wear two coats / we had to turn the heat on in the car / we had to put a camping blanket around us. When emphasizing a cause-effect relationship, the effect should be something unusual or remarkable.
The night was so cold that we were shivering. When stating a cause-effect relationship, very is not used. Very is used to intensify the quality of an adjective, adverb. See Adv for Degree.
It was such a cold night that we wore extra layers. Use such before a singular count noun (a night).

SOLUTION

The night was so cold that we had to wear two coats / we had to turn the heat on in the car / we had to put a camping blanket around us.

When emphasizing a cause-effect relationship, the effect should be something unusual or remarkable.

The night was so cold that we were shivering.

When stating a cause-effect relationship, very is not used. Very is used to intensify the quality of an adjective, adverb. See Adv for Degree.

It was such a cold night that we wore extra layers.

Use such before a singular count noun (a night).

archaic (Adj) – older usage; commonly used in an earlier time but rare in present-day usage except to suggest the older time, as in poetry, prose or historical novels.

▼ Hide Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes (Advanced)

Traditional Grammar and Linguistic Description

SO	SUCH
So is a degree adverb without an -ly suffix. (Huddleston 584) "Conditions under which that must or may appear" (Huddleston 952)	Such is one of the few adjectives that occurs before the determiner. (Huddleston 435, 967) I've never seen such disorganization. (adjective + noncount noun) It was such a sight! (adj + a + count noun) predeterminer adjective What a sight! (adj + a + noun) Also: How smart a boy is he? As smart a boy as he is, he still needs to study. Too large a pizza won't fit the oven. So great a man you will never find again.
SUBJECT – PREDICATE	SUBJECT – PREDICATE

DETAIL – SO BEAUTIFUL THAT	DETAIL – SUCH A BEAUTIFUL…THAT

Clause; Word Functions; Finite / Nonfinite; NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Comp – complement; Det – determiner; Adj – adjective; AdjP – adjective phrase; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; Sub – Subordinator

Resources

Aarts, Bas. Oxford Modern English Grammar. Oxford UP, 2011.
Azar, Betty Schrampfer, and Stacy A. Hagen. Understanding and Using English Grammar. 4th ed., Pearson Education, 2009.
Huddleston, Rodney D., and Geoffrey K. Pullum. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge UP, 2002.
Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage. 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2005.

Practice

Watching the Perseid Meteor Showers

Read the Context

Last night, the sky was cloudy. We couldn't see much. Then, the clouds passed and the night sky became visible. The Perseid meteor showers began to appear.

The comet Swift-Tuttle only comes every 133 years. However, this meteor shower occurs every year when Earth moves through the debris trail of the comet Swift-Tuttle's orbit. Its dust and debris burn up in Earth's atmosphere. These burning bits are meteors, "fireballs". They are also called "shooting stars". The Perseid meteor shower is an awesome sight.

The shooting stars appear frequently. You can see two or three a minute. The meteor particles are small. They burn up before they reach Earth. In fact, the meteor particles move very fast. They become bullets in space. For this reason, a meteor storm is a big threat to satellites. They have to be moved or turned away from the storm.

Scientists consider this a unique opportunity. They fly in aircraft to get above the clouds and study the meteor showers better. These observations will reveal important information. Scientists will be studying data for years.

aircraft (N) singular & plural— any man-made machine that can fly

atmosphere (N) — the mixture of gases that surrounds Earth.

bullets (N) — extremely high speed objects (as in ammunition in a gun)

debris (N) singular – the remains of something broken down and destroyed;

dust (N) – tiny dry bits, powder

meteor (N) — a piece of rock or metal that travels through space, and makes a bright line in the night sky when it falls down towards Earth

meteor storm / shower (N) — a period when a large number of meteors fall toward Earth

NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration, USA nasa.gov/Watch_the_Skies/2021/07/30/the-perseids-are-on-the-rise/

observation (N) — the process of watching something or someone carefully for a period of time

occurrence (N) — happening; event

particles (N) — small pieces or bits; dust, debris

reveal (V) — to make known something that was a secret or unknown; uncover, discover

satellite (N) — a machine sent into space and goes around Earth, moon or some other planet

shooting stars or falling stars (N) — pieces of rock or metal

threat (N) — something that can cause harm or damage

unique (Adj) — being the only one of its kind; special

wake (N) — the particles that are spread out behind the comet from space and that burn brightly as they fall toward Earth, "tail"

Change the sentence from the story to a so that or such that sentence.

Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" or "check 1-10" button.

There were several clouds in the sky.
There were in the sky that we couldn't see much.

Feedback 1

It was that we couldn't see much.

Feedback 2

The passing of the comet Swift-Tuttle is that it only comes every 133 years.

Feedback 3

The comet has that it passes through Earth's upper atmosphere every year.

Feedback 4

The burning bits of dust and debris, "shooting stars", appear that you can see two or three a minute.

Feedback 5

The particles are that they burn up before they reach Earth.

Feedback 6

The meteor particles move that they become bullets in space.

Feedback 7

A meteor storm is to satellites that they have to be moved or turned away from the storm.

Feedback 8

Scientists consider this that they are flying in aircraft to study it.

Feedback 9

10.

These observations will reveal that scientists will be studying results for years.

Feedback 10

"Up All Night to Watch the Perseids." 12 Aug 2011. nasa.gov/connect/chat/perseids_2011.html. Accessed 29 Jul 2018.
"Comet Swift-Tuttle: The Icy Parent of the Perseid Meteor Shower." By Sarah Lewin, 9 Aug. 2016. space.com/33677-comet-swift-tuttle-perseid-meteor-shower-source.html. Accessed 29 Jul 2018.
"Perseid Meteor Shower 2018: When, Where & How to See It." By Sarah Lewin, 9 Jul. 2018, space.com/32868-perseid-meteor-shower-guide.html. Accessed 29 Jul 2018.