so ... as OK?

[bertietheblue]

"mandatory injunctions are not so readily granted as prohibitory injunctions"?

normally 'as ... as' but is 'so ... as' OK?

Thanks

 

[corum]

"mandatory injunctions are not so readily granted as prohibitory injunctions"?

normally 'as ... as' but is 'so ... as' OK?

Thanks

Quirk et al., (1985),

7.86 Basis of comparison
We can make the basis of comparison explicit. The most common ways of doing so include correlative constructions introduced by 'than' and by 'as' (correlative to so, as; on comparative clauses)

The basis of comparison to the same degree is 'as' and, in nonassertive contexts, also 'so' (both having the correlative 'as'):

John is as polite as Bob (is). :tick:
John is not so polite as Bob (is). :tick:
John is not as polite as Bob (is). :tick:

John behaves as politely as Bob (does). :tick:
John does not behave so politely as Bob (does). :tick:
John does not behave as politely as Bob (does). :tick:

 

[TheParser]

"mandatory injunctions are not so readily granted as prohibitory injunctions"?

normally 'as ... as' but is 'so ... as' OK?

Thanks

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning, Bertie.

(1) I have heard an interesting theory that I am delighted to share

with you.

(2) We native speakers are so used to as...as being used in an

affirmative sense that (so goes this theory) some people started

using so...as to more strongly bring out the negative flavor.

You are as nice as Tom.

You are not as nice as Tom.

You are not SO nice as Tom!!!

Have a nice day!

 

[bertietheblue]

Quirk et al., (1985),

7.86 Basis of comparison
We can make the basis of comparison explicit. The most common ways of doing so include correlative constructions introduced by 'than' and by 'as' (correlative to so, as; on comparative clauses)

The basis of comparison to the same degree is 'as' and, in nonassertive contexts, also 'so' (both having the correlative 'as'):

John is as polite as Bob (is). :tick:
John is not so polite as Bob (is). :tick:
John is not as polite as Bob (is). :tick:

John behaves as politely as Bob (does). :tick:
John does not behave so politely as Bob (does). :tick:
John does not behave as politely as Bob (does). :tick:

Thanks. So, 'not so ... as' but not 'so ... as'! That was 25 years ago and I'm wondering if that distinction still holds true in all cases. I mean obviously 'so + adjective as + adjective' wouldn't work but in my example the 'so' doesn't sound too wrong to me.

 

[corum]

Mandatory injunctions are not so readily granted as prohibitory injunctions (are). :tick:
Mandatory injunctions are not as readily granted as prohibitory injunctions (are). :tick:

 

[bertietheblue]

Mandatory injunctions are not so readily granted as prohibitory injunctions (are). :tick:
Mandatory injunctions are not as readily granted as prohibitory injunctions (are). :tick:

Oops!

 

[corum]

Oops!