10 Different Uses of the Word “So” in English

As a conjunction, “so” can indicate a result, while as an adverb, it can indicate degree; in structures such as “so that” and “so as to,” it can express purpose. It can also stand in for an idea mentioned earlier in structures such as “I think so.” Some of the most common structures and expressions include so that, so as to, so do I, so-so, so far, even so, and so what?

Despite consisting of only two letters, the word “so” performs many different functions and is one of the words English learners frequently encounter. The meaning and function of “so,” which can be used in both formal and informal contexts, may vary depending on the structure in which it appears.

The word “so” can primarily function as an adverb and a conjunction in English grammar structures. In some structures, it can also serve as an element that replaces a previously mentioned phrase or the content of a sentence to avoid repetition. However, the uses of “so” are not limited to these.

Now, let's examine 10 different uses of the word “so,” along with other important expressions you will frequently encounter in everyday English, with examples.

1. Using “So” as a Conjunction

One of the most common uses of the word “so” is as a conjunction that expresses the result of a situation. In this use, the cause or situation comes first, followed by “so” and its result.

• It was raining, so we stayed inside.
  
• I forgot my umbrella, so I got wet.
  

“So” can also be used at the beginning of a new sentence to indicate the result of the information given in the previous sentence:

• The train was cancelled. So we took a bus instead.
  

The important point here is that the cause comes first, while the result appears in the part beginning with “so.”

2. Using “So” and “So That” to Express Purpose

“So” can be used not only to express a result but also to explain the purpose for which an action is performed. In this use, so or so that is followed by a subject and a conjugated verb.

Main clause + so (that) + subject + verb

• I took the fast train so I could get home early.
  
• I'm making it as clear as possible so that you understand.
  
• We need to arrive early so that we can get a good place.
  

In some sentences, that may be omitted:

• I took an umbrella so I wouldn't get wet.
  

Therefore, to determine whether “so” expresses a result or a purpose, you need to consider the entire sentence and its context.

Let's compare:

• It was raining, so we stayed inside. → Result
• I spoke slowly so everyone could understand.→ Purpose
  

3. Expressing Purpose with “So As To”

So as to + the base form of the verb is used to indicate the purpose for which an action is performed. 

so as to + verb

• We left early so as to avoid the traffic.
  
• She spoke clearly so as to avoid any misunderstanding.
  

Using “So As Not To”

When expressing the purpose of preventing something from happening, so as not to is used:

so as not to + verb

• I left early so as not to miss the train.
  
• They spoke quietly so as not to wake the children.
  

The standard word order in this structure is as follows:

so as not to miss 

You may encounter the “so as to” structure particularly in more careful or structured language. In everyday English, the same purpose is often expressed with the shorter to + verb or so (that) + clause structures.

4. “So Do I / So Did He”: Using It to Mean “Me Too / He Did Too”

“So” can be used to indicate that a situation stated in an affirmative sentence also applies to another person.

The word order in this use is as follows:

So + auxiliary verb / be / modal verb + subject

• I love Italian food. — So do I.
  
• She is tired. — So am I.
  
• I've finished my work. — So have I.
  
• He can swim very well. — So can she.
  

In simple present and simple past constructions, do, does, or did is used when necessary:

• I like coffee. — So do I.
• She went to London last year. — So did I.

Another example:

• I once lived in Singapore, and so did my fiancée.
  

In Negative Sentences: “Neither Do I”

If the preceding sentence is negative, neither or nor is generally used instead of so to express the same meaning.

Neither / Nor + auxiliary verb / be / modal verb + subject

• I don't like cold weather. — Neither do I.
  
• She isn't ready. — Neither am I.
  
• He can't drive. — Neither can I.
  

In short:

So do I. → agreeing with an affirmative statement
Neither do I. → agreeing with a negative statement

Here, “so” does not mean “even.” 

5. Using “So” to Express Degree

“So” can also be used to intensify the degree of an adjective or adverb.

so + adjective / adverb

• This ice cream is so delicious.
  
• She spoke so quietly that I could hardly hear her.
  

Especially in the so ... that construction, “so” can indicate both the degree of a situation and its result:

• The computer is so old that it breaks down twice a week.
  The computer is so old that it breaks down twice a week.

Here, we have the following structure:

so + adjective/adverb + that + result

Therefore, “so” is not a word that carries a positive or negative meaning on its own. It can be used in different contexts depending on the meaning of the adjective or adverb being emphasized.

6. “So” as a Substitute for a Previous Statement and Common Conversational Expressions

In some constructions, “so” can be used in place of a previously mentioned idea or an entire sentence to avoid repeating it.

This usage is particularly common with verbs such as think, believe, suppose, hope, expect, say, and tell.

• Is Emma coming to the meeting? — I think so.
  

Here, “so” eliminates the need to repeat that “Emma is coming to the meeting.”

• The train is going to be late. They told me so at the station.
  

Here too, “so” substitutes for the information given previously.

What Does “I Think So” Mean?

I think so is a very common expression used to indicate that we believe something is true or will happen.

• Will they arrive before six? — I think so.
  

To express a negative opinion, you can use:

• Is this the right address? — I don't think so.
  

What Does “If You Say So” Mean?

 The phrase "if you say so" is commonly used in English to show agreement or acceptance of what someone else says.  

However, as with context-appropriate expressions and sentence patterns in English, depending on the context and tone of voice, it may also indicate that the speaker does not fully accept what the other person has said, has doubts, or agrees reluctantly.  

• This is definitely the quickest way. — If you say so.
  

For this reason, “if you say so” is not always an expression of strong or sincere agreement.

What Does “Quite So” Mean?

Quite so can be used to agree with or confirm an idea that has been expressed.

• We need more time to make the right decision. — Quite so.
  

“Quite so” is especially common in British English and may be used as a relatively formal expression.

Everyday Uses of “So” in English

7. What Does “So-and-so” Mean?

So-and-so is a hyphenated expression used in informal, everyday English. It has two main uses.

1. A Person or Thing Whose Name Is Not Given or Remembered

It can be used when we do not want to say the actual name of a person or thing, cannot remember it, or when the name is unimportant.

This usage is not negative in itself.

• So-and-so from the office called you this morning.
  
• She said that so-and-so was getting married.
  

2. Referring to Someone You Dislike

“So-and-so” can also be used when referring to someone the speaker dislikes or whose behavior they criticize.

• He's a lazy so-and-so.
  

This usage may carry a negative tone and is sometimes preferred as a milder way to avoid using a harsher term.

Therefore, whether “so-and-so” is negative depends on the context and the speaker's tone.

Spelling Note: The standard spelling is so-and-so, and its plural form is so-and-sos.

8. What Does “So-so” Mean?

So-so is used in informal English to indicate that something is neither particularly good nor particularly bad.

• How was the film? — So-so.
  
• I'm feeling so-so today.
  

“So-so” is a short expression you will often encounter when making assessments, especially in spoken language.

9. Using “So” to Start and Guide a Conversation

In everyday English, “so” does more than simply connect sentences. Particularly in spoken language, it can be used as a discourse marker to start a conversation, introduce a new topic, redirect the conversation, summarize what has already been said, or prompt someone to continue speaking.

Starting a Conversation or a Question

• So, what do you do for a living?
  
• So, what time does the meeting start?
  

Here, “so” does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship; it helps start the conversation or direct attention to a particular point.

Changing the Subject or Redirecting the Conversation

• So, anyway, let's get back to the main point.
  
• So, let's move on to the next question.
  

Summarizing What Has Been Said

• So, that's basically it.
  
• So, we've covered the main points.
  

Asking What Happened Next or What the Outcome Was

• So, what happened next?
  
• So, did you get the job?
  

In these uses, intonation and brief pauses can also help convey the speaker's intention.

10. Using “More So” and “Less So”

“More so” and “less so” indicate that a previously mentioned quality applies to another person or thing to a greater or lesser degree.

Here, “so” allows us to avoid repeating the quality mentioned earlier.

• The kitchen is old-fashioned; the living room even more so.
  

Here, “more so” conveys the meaning of “more old-fashioned” without repeating it.

• My old office was very dark; my new office is less so.
  

Here too, “less so” indicates that the previously mentioned quality of being “dark” applies to the new office to a lesser degree.

Other Common English Expressions with “So”

Beyond these 10 basic uses, the word “so” is also part of many common English expressions. It is better to learn these expressions as a whole rather than breaking them down into individual words.

What Does “So Far” Mean?

“So far” means “up to now” or “until now.”

• So far, everything is going well.
  
• I've read three chapters so far.
  

Another common expression is:

So far, so good.

What Does “Or So” Mean?

“Or so” is used to give an approximate number, amount, or duration.

• It'll take ten minutes or so.
  
• There were twenty people or so at the meeting.
  

“Or so” comes after the number or amount described as approximate.

What Do “And So On / And So Forth” Mean?

“And so on” and “and so forth” indicate that there are other things similar to the examples given.

• We talked about work, family, travel, and so on.
  
• The course covers grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and so forth.
  

What Does “Even So” Mean?

“Even so” indicates that a different situation remains true despite information mentioned earlier.

• The journey was long. Even so, we enjoyed every minute of it.
  
• She was tired, but even so, she finished the report.
  

What Does “Not So Much … As …” Mean?

“Not so much A as B” is a structure used to describe a situation as B rather than A.

• He's not so much angry as disappointed.
  
• The problem is not so much the cost as the time it takes.
  

The aim of this structure is not always to reject A completely; it usually emphasizes that B describes the situation more accurately.

What Does “So What?” Mean?

In everyday, informal English, “so what?” can indicate that a situation is unimportant or that the speaker does not care about it.

• He's going to be angry. — So what?
  
• So what if we make a mistake? We can try again.
  

Usage Note: “So what?” is quite a direct expression. Depending on the tone of voice and context, it may sound indifferent, dismissive, or rude.

What Does “So to Speak” Mean?

So to speak indicates that we want the expression used to be interpreted not entirely literally, but in a figurative or approximate sense.

Possible equivalents include:

• figuratively speaking
• so to speak
• in a way

• He's the captain of the team, so to speak.
  
• We had to start from scratch, so to speak.
  

Uses of “So”: Quick Summary Table

The meaning of “so” cannot be determined by looking at the word alone. In the structure It was raining, so..., it indicates a result; in so that..., it indicates purpose; in so do I, it means “me too”; and in so + adjective/adverb, it expresses degree. In structures such as I think so, it avoids repeating a previously mentioned thought. Therefore, it is better to learn “so” together with the structure in which it is used rather than as a single equivalent.