Suchis a determiner;sois an adverb.They often have the same meaning of ‘very’or ‘to this degree’:
Those aresuchgood chocolates.
Those chocolates aresogood.
We usesuch+ noun phrase andso+ adjective or adverb phrase:
She issucha great cook.
Not:She is so great cook.
That wassounpleasant.(so+ adjective)
Not:That was such unpleasant.
Why do you drivesofast?(so+ adverb)
Not:Why do you drive such fast?
so+ adjective | such+ noun phrase |
You’resokind. | He’ssucha kind person |
It wassohot we couldn’t work. | Novemberwassucha cold month. |
Sobut notsuchcan also be used in front ofmuch, many, little, fewto add emphasis:
Somuchfood was wasted every day.
Not:Such much food was wasted…
In those days there weresofewdoctors in our area.
Not: …there were such few doctors…
See also:
So
Such
Typical errors
We usesuch, notso, before a noun, even if there is an adjective before the noun:
They’resuchsnobs! They won’t speak to anyone else in the village.
Not:They’re so snobs…
Those aresuchcool shoes. Where did you get them?
Not:Those are so cool shoes.
We usesuch, notso, before a noun phrase with the indefinite articlea/an:
This issuchawonderful kitchen!
Not:This is a so wonderful kitchen!
We useso, notsuch, before adjectives:
Thank you. You’resokind.
Not:You’re such kind.
We useso, notsuch, before adverbs:
She always dressessoelegantly.
Not:She always dresses such elegantly.