so vs very

[charito72]

I want to know when you use so and when you use very.

[matilda]

i think you'd better check a dictionary. because it takes more than an hour to explain where top use each of these two.but if you are not sure about a specific sentence, members of this site can help you.

[Teia]

Originally Posted by charito72

I want to know when you use so and when you use very.

Hi Charito

Both "so" and "very" are adverbs.

So - has an intensive meaning : to a great extent, to such an evident degree
e.g. I was so surprised that I had to sit down.

Unlike "very" , "so" presumes that the speaker/listener/reader will be sympathetic to the situation the speaker is involved.
Compare :

a] I was so surprised that I had to sit down.- to a greater degree
b] I was very surprised and I had to sit down- in a high degree, extremely; completely

"Very" - in a high degree; extremely; completely; absolutely
"Very" is the morpheme/word used to form the superlative absolute :

e.g. very nice , very beautiful..

I hope it helps though I suggest you to look them up in a dictionary, because this is not the only usage of "so" and "very".

"So" can also function as an adjective, conjunction or interjection.

interjection : So! What have you done?!

"Very" can function as an adjective too : "in the very heart of the forest"


Regards,