so and such
Intensifiers · so…that / such…that · like this · so long vs such a long time — Complete Guide
so et such
Intensificateurs · so…that / such…that · comme ça · so long vs such a long time — Guide Complet
Learn when to use so (before adjectives/adverbs) and such (before nouns), how to form so/such…that clauses, and key contrast pairs like so long vs such a long time.
Apprenez quand utiliser so (devant les adjectifs/adverbes) et such (devant les noms), comment former les propositions so/such…that, et les paires contrastives clés comme so long vs such a long time.
So and such are both intensifiers — they make the meaning stronger. The key rule is simple: use so before an adjective or adverb alone, and use such before a noun (with or without an adjective). They can also mean ‘like this’ and appear in so/such…that result clauses.
So et such sont tous deux des intensificateurs — ils renforcent le sens. La règle clé est simple : utilisez so devant un adjectif ou un adverbe seul, et utilisez such devant un nom (avec ou sans adjectif). Ils peuvent aussi signifier ‘comme ça’ et apparaître dans des propositions de résultat so/such…that.
so + adjective/adverb vs such + noun
so + adjectif/adverbe vs such + nom
so + adjective / adverb
so + adjectif / adverbe
such + (adj +) noun
such + (adj +) nom
• so + adjective/adverb (no noun): so tired / so quickly
• such + noun: such a story / such people
• such + adjective + noun: such a stupid story / such nice people
• We say such a … (NOT a such…): ✓ such a big dog ✗ a such big dog • so + adjectif/adverbe (sans nom) : so tired / so quickly
• such + nom : such a story / such people
• such + adjectif + nom : such a stupid story / such nice people
• On dit such a… (PAS a such…) : ✓ such a big dog ✗ a such big dog
so / such for emphasis — so…that / such…that
so / such pour l’emphase — so…that / such…that
Both so and such make the meaning stronger (= really, very). They can be followed by a result clause with that (usually omitted in speech).
Les deux renforcent le sens (= vraiment, très). Ils peuvent être suivis d’une proposition de résultat avec that (souvent omis à l’oral).
I was so tired that I fell asleep in the armchair.
I was so tired I fell asleep. (that omitted)
We had a great trip. We had such a good time. (= a really good time)
It was such nice weather that we spent the whole day on the beach.
It was such nice weather we spent… (that omitted) I’ve had a busy day. I’m so tired. (= vraiment fatigué)
I was so tired that I fell asleep in the armchair.
I was so tired I fell asleep. (that omis)
We had a great trip. We had such a good time. (= un si bon moment)
It was such nice weather that we spent the whole day on the beach.
It was such nice weather we spent… (that omis)
so / such meaning ‘like this’ — no such…
so / such = ‘comme ça’ — no such…
So and such can also mean ‘to this degree’ or ‘like this’ — referring back to something just mentioned.
So et such peuvent aussi signifier ‘à ce point’ ou ‘comme ça’ — en référence à ce qui vient d’être mentionné.
I’m tired because I got up at six. I don’t usually get up so early.
I didn’t realise it was such an old house.
You know it’s not true. How can you say such a thing? (= a thing like this)
no such… = this does not exist:
You won’t find ‘blid’ in the dictionary. There’s no such word. Somebody told me the house was built 100 years ago. I didn’t realise it was so old. (= aussi vieux que ça)
I’m tired because I got up at six. I don’t usually get up so early.
I didn’t realise it was such an old house.
You know it’s not true. How can you say such a thing? (= une chose pareille)
no such… = cela n’existe pas :
You won’t find ‘blid’ in the dictionary. There’s no such word.
so long / far / much vs such a long time / way / lot
so long / far / much vs such a long time / way / lot
Note these contrasting pairs — the meaning is the same but the structure differs:
Notez ces paires contrastives — le sens est le même mais la structure diffère :
so + adjective/adverb
such + noun phrase
Put in so, such or such a.
Complétez avec so, such ou such a.
Combine the two sentences into one using so or such.
Combinez les deux phrases en une seule avec so ou such.
Write the first part of the new sentence only.
Écrivez uniquement la première partie de la nouvelle phrase.
Choose so or such a / such to complete each sentence.
Choisissez so ou such a / such pour compléter chaque phrase.
Correct the mistake in each sentence — write the correct word(s).
Corrigez l’erreur dans chaque phrase — écrivez le(s) mot(s) correct(s).
Frequently Asked Questions — so and such
Questions fréquentes — so et such
Use so before an adjective or adverb that stands alone (no noun follows): so tired, so quickly. Use such when a noun follows (with or without an adjective): such a story, such nice people, such a stupid story.
Utilisez so devant un adjectif ou un adverbe seul (pas de nom qui suit) : so tired, so quickly. Utilisez such quand un nom suit (avec ou sans adjectif) : such a story, such nice people, such a stupid story.
Because time is a noun. Whenever a noun is present, you need such. Compare: so long (adverb alone, no noun) vs such a long time (adjective + noun). Similarly: so far vs such a long way.
Parce que time est un nom. Dès qu’un nom est présent, il faut such. Comparez : so long (adverbe seul, sans nom) vs such a long time (adjectif + nom). De même : so far vs such a long way.
No — that is usually omitted in spoken and informal English: I was so tired I fell asleep = I was so tired that I fell asleep. In formal writing, that is preferred.
Non — that est généralement omis à l’oral et dans l’anglais informel : I was so tired I fell asleep = I was so tired that I fell asleep. À l’écrit formel, that est préféré.
No such + noun means ‘this does not exist’: There’s no such word = this word does not exist. There’s no such thing as a free lunch = a free lunch does not exist.
No such + nom signifie ‘cela n’existe pas’ : There’s no such word = ce mot n’existe pas. There’s no such thing as a free lunch = un repas gratuit n’existe pas.
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