So is a degree adverb. It is mostly used in situations where very is also a suitable word.
- She is so beautiful. = She is very beautiful.
So much and so many
The difference between so much and so many is similar to the difference between much and many. So much is used before singular uncountable nouns. So many is used before plural nouns.
- I have never seen so much wealth in my life.
- She had so many problems that she didn’t know what to do.
- You have eaten so much meat.
- I have had so many visitors in the last few days.
So much cannot be used to modify adjectives and adverbs in the positive degree. Instead we use so.
- He is so kind. (NOT He is so much kind.)
- She is so beautiful. (NOT She is so much beautiful.)
So much can be used before comparatives.
- You look so much more beautiful now.
- He is so much more intelligent than his brother.
So much and so many without a noun
We can use so much and so many without a noun if the meaning is clear.
- You have eaten so much.
- I am expecting a few visitors, but not so many.