What is the meaning of 'so' as a modifier?

[learning54]

Hi teachers,
The word 'so' in the following sentence is an adverb, a modifier. What is its meaning?
The special effects were so bad and a couple of actors acted so badly that they walked out in the middle of the film.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rover_KE]

Here's one interpretation:

'The special effects were extremely bad and a couple of the actors acted in such a bad way that they walked out in the middle of the film.'

Another:

'The special effects were bad enough and a couple of the actors acted badly enough to cause them to walk out in the middle of the film.'

Rover

 

[learning54]

Here's one interpretation:

'The special effects were extremely bad and a couple of the actors acted in such a bad way that they walked out in the middle of the film.'

Another:

'The special effects were bad enough and a couple of the actors acted badly enough to cause them to walk out in the middle of the film.'

Rover

Hi Rover,
Thank you very much for your reply. I have read somewhere that it has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modies. I didn't understand it. That's why I've asked.

L.

 

[TheParser]

NOT A TEACHER


Hello, Learning:

1. I thought that you might find this helpful:

"I work so hard that I have no time to play."

a. "so" modifies "hard."

b. "that I have no time to play" is an adverbial clause that modifies "so."

As you can see, the word "so" is absolutely necessary. One book explains that it means "I work hard to the degree

at which I have no time to play."

2. I am sure that you have heard these famous examples:

a. I am so hungry that I could eat a horse.

b. It is so hot that you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.

HAVE A NICE DAY!

*****

Pence and Emery, A Grammar of Every-Day English (1963), p. 183.
House and Harman, Descriptive English Grammar (1950), p.399.

 

[learning54]

2. I am sure that you have heard these famous examples:

a. I am so hungry that I could eat a horse.

b. It is so hot that you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.

Yes, I have.

Hi TheParser,
Thank you for your commentaries and help.

L.

 

[emsr2d2]

You will hear "so" used without the "that + result" part.

- How was the party?
- It was SO awful.

- Do you like Tom Cruise?
- Oh my god. He is SO hot!

 

[learning54]

You will hear "so" used without the "that + result" part.

- How was the party?
- It was SO awful.

- Do you like Tom Cruise?
- Oh my god. He is SO hot!

Hi,
Point taken!;-)