so
so
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "so" is /səʊ/.
/səʊ/
Word Form Variations
The word "so" is an interesting case as it doesn't typically have variations for singular/plural or different tenses in the way nouns or verbs do. It primarily functions as an adverb, conjunction, or interjection, and its form remains consistent.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: To such a great extent or degree; very much.
Synonyms: very, extremely, greatly, highly
Antonyms: slightly, barely, hardly, scarcely
Example: "The music was so loud we couldn't hear ourselves think."
Definition 2: In the manner or way indicated; thus.
Synonyms: thus, accordingly, like this, in this way
Antonyms: differently, otherwise
Example: "Hold the needle so, and then thread it."
Definition 3: For that reason; therefore.
Synonyms: therefore, consequently, hence, accordingly
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often no direct antonym)
Example: "She was tired, so she went to bed early."
Definition 4: (Used with a verb, often to indicate agreement or affirmation) In the same way; likewise.
Synonyms: likewise, too, also, similarly
Antonyms: neither, not
Example: "I love chocolate, and so does he."
Conjunction
Definition 1: With the result that; consequently.
Synonyms: consequently, therefore, with the result that, hence
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often no direct antonym)
Example: "It was raining heavily, so we decided to stay indoors."
Definition 2: In order that; for the purpose that.
Synonyms: in order that, to, for the purpose of
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often no direct antonym)
Example: "He studied hard so he could pass the exam."
Interjection
Definition 1: (Used to express surprise, agreement, or to begin a remark)
Synonyms: well, oh, indeed, alright
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often no direct antonym)
Example: "So, you've finally arrived!"
Definition 2: (Used to ask for confirmation or agreement)
Synonyms: right, correct, isn't it, eh
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often no direct antonym)
Example: "So, we're meeting at 3 PM, right?"
Pronoun (less common, often informal or archaic, or functioning as a substitute for a phrase)
Definition 1: That which has been stated or understood.
Synonyms: that, it, such
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often no direct antonym)
Example: "Is that so?" (meaning "Is that the case?")
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859)
"He did not know what to do, so he sat down and waited." (Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea, 1952)
Newspapers:
"The recent surge in artificial intelligence is so rapid that policymakers are struggling to keep up with its implications." (The New York Times)
"Many citizens are experiencing financial hardship, so the government is considering new economic relief measures." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Why is the sky so blue? Scientists explain the phenomenon behind our planet's vibrant atmosphere." (National Geographic Online)
"TikTok's algorithm is so effective at personalizing content that many users find it addictive." (Wired.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. Scarlett, you're so beautiful." (Gone with the Wind, 1939)
Television Series: "How you doin'? I'm so glad you're here!" (Friends, various episodes)
Song Lyrics: "And darling, darling, darling, you're so sweet." (The Beatles, "Honey Pie," 1968)
Podcast: "Our guest today has done so much incredible work in the field of neuroscience." (NPR's Throughline, July 2024)
Video Game Dialogue: "You're so close to defeating the final boss!" (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, 2023)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm so tired, I could sleep for a week." (Casual conversation)
"The weather is so nice today, let's go for a walk." (Casual conversation)
"He was so excited about his new job." (Everyday speech)
"I need to buy groceries, so I'll stop by the supermarket on my way home." (Everyday planning)
10 Quotes Using So
"To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause: there's the respect That makes calamity of so long life." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. Scarlett, you're so beautiful." (Gone with the Wind, 1939)
"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realised; no survival for the British Empire; no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for; no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will march forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. I feel entitled at this juncture, at this time, to claim the aid of all, and to say, 'Come then, let us go forward together with our united strength.' Therefore, I say to you, and to all, that it is only by working together that we can achieve our goals. I can't do it alone, and neither can you, so let's work together." (Winston Churchill, May 13, 1940, to the House of Commons)
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961)
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Oh, and it's so bright out here." (Neil Armstrong, July 20, 1969)
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days. In so doing, we shall restore confidence. We are, I know, ready and willing to do our part as individuals and as a nation, in all its manifestations, to bring about a restoration." (Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933)
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification—one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire." (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech, August 28, 1963)
"Here's looking at you, kid. It's so crazy, it just might work." (Casablanca, 1942)
"May the Force be with you. I have so many bad feelings about this." (Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, 1977)
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Every family has its share of joys and sorrows, but the way they deal with them is what makes them unique. And so, the story begins." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina)
Etymology
The word "so" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back thousands of years!
Imagine a language spoken even before what we call "Old English" existed. Linguists believe "so" comes from a very old, reconstructed language called Proto-Indo-European. This ancient language had a root word like "*swē" or "*swō," which was a kind of "reflexive pronominal stem." In simpler terms, it likely referred to "itself" or "in that manner."
This ancient root then evolved into Proto-Germanic, the ancestor of languages like German, Dutch, and English. In Proto-Germanic, the word was "*swa" or "*swē," meaning something like "so" or "thus" – indicating a manner or degree.
From there, it developed into Old English (the language spoken in England before 1066) as "swā" (or "swǣ," "swē"). The first known uses of "swā" in Old English carried meanings very similar to our "so" today:
"In this way" or "in such a manner." Think of it like saying, "Do it so," meaning "Do it in this way."
"To that extent" or "to such a degree." This is where we get the idea of intensity, like "It was so cold."
It also functioned as a conjunction, meaning "so as" or "consequently, therefore." So, if something happened, "swā" would introduce the result.
Over time, as English changed, the "w" sound in "swā" gradually disappeared, and the word became the "so" we use now. It's fascinating how a small, seemingly simple word has such a deep and continuous history, retaining its core meanings for millennia!
Phrases + Idioms Containing So
So far, so good.
And so on.
So much for...
So be it.
Just so.
So it goes.
So long!
So help me God.
So to speak.
I told you so.
As I was saying, so... (used to resume a point)
Not so fast!
So-and-so (referring to a person whose name you don't recall or wish to state)
So-called
If so, then...
So what?
So true!
So then... (used to transition or conclude)
So many, so much.
No sooner said than so.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of so from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
