Other Connecting Words #2

Other Connecting Words (#2):

More on So ___ that

So is often used with adjectives and adverbs which are

followed by (that) and a sentence showing a result or

an effect. So can also be used with adjectives and noun

phrases. When this happens, the grammar for noun phrases

with singular countable nouns is unusual.

1. so with an adjective + a singular countable noun

When so is used with an adjective and a singular

countable noun, the word order is

so + adjective + a / an singular countable noun +

(that) + result / effect sentence:

That was so difficult a test (that) almost no one

passed it.

He gave so unusual an answer (that) we weren't sure of what he meant.

Sentences such as the above seem "forced" and

rather artificial, however, so most people use such,

not so:

That was such a difficult test (that) almost

no one passed it.

He gave such an unusual answer (that) we

weren't sure of what he meant.

2. adjectives and plural nouns

So cannot be used with an adjective and a plural

noun: instead, such is used:

Those were such delicious cookies (that)

everyone ate two or three of them.

Ana and Brigitte are such fast runners (that)

they've never lost a race.

Special Note: That is usually not omitted in sentences

such as the above.