WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SO AND VERY?
Multiple-Choice Exercise: So, Very, Too
Multiple-Choice Exercise: SO vs SUCH
The difference between SO and VERY can be a tricky question . SO and VERY are both adverbs which are used to emphasize an adjective or an adverb. In many situations, you can use either SO or VERY with no difference in meaning.
- I’m so hungry. I’m very hungry.
- She played so well. She played very well.
USE SO AND VERY TO PROVIDE NEW INFORMATION
- It’s so expensive. It’s very expensive.
- I’m so happy. I’m very happy.
While both SO & VERY can be used to provide new information, we typically use VERY to introduce information and then SO to emphasize the information which is already known.
- Learning Spanish is very easy. I didn’t think it would be so easy.
- We had a very good holiday. We saw so much.
NOTE: So cannot be followed by a noun, we must use SUCH instead.
- He’s very talkative. He’s a very, talkative guy.
- He’s so talkative. He’s so a talkative guy. He’s SUCH a talkative guy.
USE SO NOT VERY IN THAT CLAUSES TO EMPHASIZE THE RESULT – SO…..THAT
- It was so windy that I couldn’t use my umbrella.
- The English lesson was so interesting that I was surprised when it was finished.
- The food was so good that I ate too much.
USE SO IN SHORT ANSWERS TO AGREE (AND AVOID REPETITION)
- Will he come to the party? I hope so. NOT I hope very.
- Is the supermarket open on Sundays? I believe so. NOT I believe very.
- Did we lose the match? I’m afraid so. NOT I’m afraid very.
Multiple-Choice Exercise: So, Very, Too
Multiple-Choice Exercise: SO vs SUCH
PRACTICE EXERCISE