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Teacher cue
B1 · English Grammar

So / Such

The film was so boring. It was such a boring film.

so + adj/adv such (a/an) + noun
The key difference

What comes after each one?

so
adjective or adverb — no noun

The film was so boring.
She speaks so quickly.

such
(a/an) + adjective + noun

It was such a boring film.
They are such kind people.

Using SO

Before adjectives and adverbs

The film was so boring that I fell asleep. (adjective)
She speaks so quickly that I can't understand her. (adverb)
He ran so fast that he broke the record. (adverb)
Using SUCH

Before noun phrases

It was such a beautiful day that we went to the park. (singular countable)
They are such kind people that everyone loves them. (plural)
It was such bad weather that we stayed inside. (uncountable)
💡 Quick test

Can you replace it with very? → use so.
Does it go before a noun? → use such.

She is so tall. (very tall ✓ — no noun)
She is such a tall woman. (before noun)
⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

It was so a good film.

It was such a good film.

She is such beautiful.

She is so beautiful.

He spoke such quickly.

He spoke so quickly.

It was so good weather that we stayed out.

It was such good weather that we stayed out. ✓ (uncountable noun — such, no article)

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
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So, such or such a/an?

The food was(so / such / such a)delicious that I ordered twice.
It was(so / such / such a)long journey that I fell asleep on the train.
She ran(so / such / such a)fast that nobody could catch her.
They are(so / such / such a)kind people — everyone loves them.
It was(so / such / such a)bad weather that the match was canceled.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

She has suchA a lovely voice andB so beautiful hairC thatD everyone notices her.

Cso beautiful hair → such beautiful hair

✓ such + noun phrase; so + adjective alone

The traffic were so badA thatB we missedC the beginning ofD the concert.

AThe traffic were so bad → The traffic was so bad

✓ traffic is uncountable → was

The lecture was soA interesting thatB nobody left, althoughC it was such longD.

Dit was such long → it was so long

✓ so + adjective alone

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

The film was so boring
It was such a long journey
They are such kind people
She speaks so quickly
Speak & write

Your turn

Use so or such (a/an) in each answer.

Describe a time you were so tired that you couldn't function.
Tell me about a meal, film or book that was so good you couldn't stop.
Describe a person you know using so or such.
Finish: "The class was so… / It was such a… that…"
Recap

Remember this

so
adjective or adverb — no noun
such a/an
singular countable noun phrase
such (no article)
plural or uncountable noun
The test
replace with "very"? → so

Can you say "very ___"? → so. Before a noun? → such (a/an).

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