As a conjunction, ‘so’ is used to show the effect or result.
- It was late so I didn’t go out. (Here ‘so’ shows the result or effect of the action or situation mentioned in the previous clause.
As a conjunction ‘so that’ is used to talk about purpose. Sometimes we drop out ‘that’.
This grammar exercise tests your ability to use so and so that correctly. Fill in the blanks.
1It was getting late, ............... we decided to go home.
Wrong!
Use "so" to introduce the result of it getting late.
2The last bus had gone, ............... we had to walk.
Wrong!
Use "so" to introduce the result of the last bus leaving.
3The watch was very expensive, ............... I didn't buy it.
Wrong!
Use "so" to introduce the result of the watch being expensive.
4The teacher spoke slowly ............... the students could write down everything.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "so" or "so that" to introduce the purpose of speaking slowly.
5We sent the parcel a few days ago, ............... they should have received it by now.
Wrong!
Use "so" to introduce the conclusion about the parcel.
6I was tired, ............... I took some rest.
Wrong!
Use "so" to introduce the result of being tired.
7The dialogues were ............... funny that I couldn't help laughing.
Wrong!
Use "so" before an adjective in the pattern so + adjective + that.
8The sky was dark, ............... I took an umbrella with me.
Wrong!
Use "so" to introduce the result of the sky being dark.
Answers
- It was getting late, so we decided to go home.
- The last bus had gone, so we had to walk.
- The watch was very expensive, so I didn’t buy it.
- The teacher spoke slowly so / so that the students could write down everything.
- We sent the parcel a few days ago, so they should have received it by now.
- I was tired, so I took some rest.
- The dialogues were so funny that I couldn’t help laughing.
- The sky was dark, so I took an umbrella with me.