What are So that and Such that? An overview about So that and Such that

No.

So that structures

Example

1

S + to be + so + adj + that + S ​+ V

• The water was so hot that Harry couldn’t drink it. 

• This cake is so delicious that everyone likes it. 

2

S + stative verbs + so + adj + that + S + V

Stative verbs: feel, seem, taste, look, smell, sound….

• Anna felt so angry that she decided to cancel the plan. 

• John looks so handsome that every girl in school looks at him. 

3

S + V + so + adv + that + S + V

• Linda drove so quickly that no one could catch her up. 

4

S + V + so + many/few + plural/countable noun + that + S + V

• John has so many shoes that he spends much time choosing the most suitable. 

5

S + V + so + much/little + uncountable noun + that + S + V

• Anna drank so much milk in the morning that she felt bad. 

6

S + V + so + adj + a + noun (singular/countable noun) + that + S + V

• It was so big a villa that all of us could live in it. 

• John has so good a laptop that he has used it for five years without any problems.

7

Inverted So that structures:

• For adjective: So + adj + to be + S + that + S + V

• For verb: So + adv + auxiliary verb + S + V-infinitive + that + S + V

• So beautiful is the dress that everybody wants to buy it. 

• So carelessly did Jenny drive that she caused an accident last weekend. 

No.

Such that structures

Example

1

S + V + such + (a/an) + adj + noun + that + S + V

Note: For singular or uncountable nouns, a/an is not used.

• We were given  such easy homework that it didn't take us much time to finish it. 

• Jenny is such a pretty girl that everyone likes her. 

2

Inverted Such that structure:

• Such + be + a/an + adj + N + that + S + V +... 

• Such + a/an + adj + N + be + S + that + S + V + …

• Such was a beautiful day that everyone came outside to play. 

So that

Such that

Similarities

• Both So that and Such that convey the same meaning.

• So that and Such that are used to explain the result or opinion about something (mentioned earlier), while also expressing emotion or exclamation towards an object, event, or thing.

Differences

• Do not use a lot of, lots of, but use much, many instead.

• So that is often used to express emotion and feeling towards an object, event, or thing, so the use of adjectives or adverbs is mandatory.

For example:

• John is very strong. John can lift the box. ➞ John is so strong that he can lift the box. 

• Jenny drank a lot of beer. She became drunk. ➞ Jenny drank so much beer that she became drunk. 

• John bought lots of books. He didn’t know where to put them. ➞ John bought so many books that he didn’t know where to put them. 

• If the noun is singular or uncountable, do not use a/an.

• It is not necessary to use adjectives or adverbs in the clause containing Such that.

For example:

• Peter is a very naughty boy. No one likes him. ➞ Peter is such a naughty boy that no one likes him. 

• The food is too hot. Jenny can’t eat it. ➞ It is such hot food that Jenny can’t eat it. 

• Anna’s voice is very soft. Everyone likes her. ➞ Anna has such a soft voice that everyone likes her. 

• Harry speaks to me in such a way that I feel he is insulting me.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

1. Peter is so poor that he cannot send his son to school.

2. Sara is so bad at studying that she will not pass the test.

3. Jenny is so old that she cannot walk without support.

4. Anna is so young that she cannot get married.

5. John is so shy that he cannot perform on stage.

1. such

2. so

3. such

4. so

5. such