so
I
conjunction
1
BAD: He hadn't taken any warm clothes with him so that he felt cold.
GOOD: He hadn't taken any warm clothes with him so he felt cold.
◆◆◆
So that is used to express the purpose of an action: 'We took our umbrellas so that we wouldn't get wet.'
So is used to express the result of an action: 'I'd forgotten to take my umbrella so I got wet.'
BAD: Most of these drugs come from the so-called Golden Triangle.
BAD: During the so-called denitrification process, bacteria convert fixed nitrogen into molecular nitrogen.
GOOD: During what is known as the denitrification process, bacteria convert fixed nitrogen into molecular nitrogen.
Use so-called when you want to suggest that the name that has been given to something is incorrect or not suitable: 'I went to see the playwright's so-called masterpiece and was very disappointed by it.'
To introduce the name by which something is generally known, use be known as, be referred to as or be called : 'The distance that light travels in a year is called a light year.' 'Zaire was formerly known as the Congo.'
2
BAD: Since it's his birthday on Monday, so he's having a party.
GOOD: Since it's his birthday on Monday, he's having a party.
GOOD: It's his birthday on Monday, so he's having a party.
BAD:If you're a naughty boy, so the big crocodile will come and eat you.
GOOD: If you're a naughty boy, the big crocodile will come and eat you.
◆◆◆
See also BUT
3
See THAT 3
II
adverb
1
BAD: During the summer all the hotels are so busy.
GOOD: During the summer all the hotels are very busy.
◆◆◆
Use so + adjective (1) to mean 'to such a high degree or great extent':
'I was so tired that I fell asleep on the train.' 'I didn't expect the hotels to be so busy.'
(2) to express strong personal emotion: 'It was very kind of you to help me. I'm so grateful.'
Otherwise, use very/extremely + adjective: 'She was very tired and found it difficult to stay awake.'
2
BAD: My English is so poor so my wife has to translate everything.
GOOD: My English is so poor that my wife has to translate everything.
◆◆◆
so + adjective/adverb + that clause: 'She was so clever that all the universities wanted her.' 'The pianist played so badly that the audience walked out.'
Compare: 'My English is very poor so my wife has to translate everything.'
3
BAD: We were not prepared for so cold weather.
GOOD: We were not prepared for such cold weather.
BAD: I was annoyed with myself for being so fool.
GOOD: I was annoyed with myself for being such a fool.
◆◆◆
A phrase that ends with a noun ('weather', 'fool') usually begins with such (NOT so ): 'We hadn't expected such a warm welcome.' 'You're lucky to have such delightful children.'
Compare: 'Why is it always so cold in here?' 'The food was so bad that nobody could eat it.'
but
conjunction
BAD: Although I enjoyed my stay in the USA, but I was still glad to come home.
GOOD: Although I enjoyed my stay in the USA, I was still glad to come home.
GOOD: I enjoyed my stay in the USA, but I was still glad to come home.
◆◆◆
If the first clause begins with although or (even) though, do not begin the second clause with but or yet .
See also SO
that
I
conjunction
1
BAD: It is two months now that I left Germany.
GOOD: It is two months now since I left Germany.
◆◆◆
a week/two months etc + since something happened (NOT that ): 'It's almost two years since I started my PhD.'
2
BAD:: I was shocked by the sight that I could hardly speak.
GOOD: I was so shocked by the sight that I could hardly speak.
◆◆◆
so + adjective/adverb + that clause: 'I'm so tired that I can't keep awake.' 'He spoke so quickly that nobody could understand him.'
3
BAD: He closed the door quietly that nobody would hear him.
GOOD: He closed the door quietly so that nobody would hear him.
◆◆◆
Use so that to express purpose (NOT that ): 'The burglars turned off all the lights so that they wouldn't be seen.'
4
BAD: Children are not as easy to please nowadays that they were in the past.
GOOD: Children are not as easy to please nowadays as they were in the past.
◆◆◆
When making a comparison, use as/so ... as (NOT as/so ... that ): 'It's as hard to get into university today as it was ten years ago.'
5
BAD: It worried me that the letter had not arrived, especially that it had never happened before.
GOOD: It worried me that the letter had not arrived, especially since/as it had never happened before.
◆◆◆
When giving a reason for something, use since or as (NOT that ): 'Instead of cooking, why don't we get a take-away, especially as it's so late.'
II
pronoun
1
BAD: The weather has been very good, except for two days that it rained.
GOOD: The weather has been very good, except for two days when it rained.
◆◆◆
When the meaning is 'at/on/in/during which' (referring to time), use when (NOT that ): 'These are the times when Dr Roberts will be able to see you.'
Compare: 'I shall always remember the two days that I spent in Paris.'
2
BAD: Sitting next to me was an old lady, that seemed to be sound asleep.
GOOD: Sitting next to me was an old lady, who seemed to be sound asleep.
◆◆◆
That is used to introduce an identifying relative clause (one which identifies, defines, or restricts the preceding noun): 'The woman that is sitting behind us is Tom's music teacher.' 'The man that I marry will have lots of money.'
That is not used to introduce a non-identifying relative clause (one which simply adds more information about the noun).
3
BAD: If you haven't sent it yet, I'd be pleased if you would do that as soon as possible.
GOOD: If you haven't sent it yet, I'd be pleased if you would do so as soon as possible.
◆◆◆
To make a precise reference to a previously mentioned action, use do so (NOT do that ): 'I asked him politely to take his feet off the seat but he refused to do so.'
taxi
noun
BAD: To save time, we decided to go with a taxi.
GOOD: To save time, we decided to go by taxi.
GOOD: To save time, we decided to go in a taxi.
◆◆◆
You go somewhere by taxi or in a taxi (NOT with ): 'If you go by taxi, you're likely to get stuck in a traffic jam.'
tasteful
adjective
BAD: The food was excellent and very tasteful.
GOOD: The food was excellent and very tasty.
◆◆◆
tasteful = chosen or produced by someone who is able to judge which kinds of art, music, furniture, etc, are attractive: 'The design of the room was very tasteful - pale colours, matching fabrics, and soft corner lighting.'
tasty = (of food) having a pleasant taste : 'These sausages are really tasty - where did you buy them?'
test
noun
BAD: On my first day at the school, I had to make a test.
GOOD: On my first day at the school, I had to take a test.
◆◆◆
take/do a test (NOT make ): 'Before they start their courses, all the new students take a placement test.'
toast
noun
BAD: I usually have a cup of coffee and a toast for breakfast.
GOOD: I usually have a cup of coffee and some toast for breakfast.
BAD: You make some toasts and I'll set the table.
GOOD: You make some toast and I'll set the table.
◆◆◆
Toast is an uncountable noun: 'There's some toast for you in the kitchen.' 'How many pieces/slices of toast would you like?'
dust
noun
BAD: People eventually get ill from breathing in all the dusts and smoke.
GOOD: People eventually get ill from breathing in all the dust and smoke.
◆◆◆
Dust is an uncountable noun: 'The house hadn't been lived in for a long time and the furniture was covered in dust.'
tall
adjective
BAD: I prefer rooms with tall ceilings.
GOOD: I prefer rooms with high ceilings.
◆◆◆
See note at HIGH
high
adjective
BAD: Beauvais is very proud of having the highest cathedral in Europe.
GOOD: Beauvais is very proud of having the tallest cathedral in Europe.
BAD: Smoke pours out of the high chimneys all day long.
GOOD: Smoke pours out of the tall chimneys all day long
◆◆◆
Use high to describe something that is a long way above the ground (or whose top is a long way above the ground): 'The rooms on the ground floor have very high ceilings.' 'The top shelf was too high for me to reach.' 'The high wall made it impossible for prisoners to escape.'
Use tall (NOT high ) to describe people, animals, trees, plants and things which are narrow and above average height: 'Most of the tall trees had been cut down.' 'I'd like to marry someone tall with a sense of humour.' 'He's almost six feet tall.'
tell
verb
1
BAD: The article tells about the history of Rome.
GOOD: The article is about the history of Rome.
DUBIOUS: The story tells of a princess and a frog.
GOOD: The story is about a princess and a frog.
◆◆◆
You usually say that a book, story, article etc is about a particular subject: 'The novel is about the experiences of a young German soldier during the First World War.'
Tell of is used only in literary styles: 'The poem tells of the deeds of a young Greek soldier during the Trojan War.' Tell about does not exist.
2
BAD: He told that he hadn't eaten anything for over a week.
GOOD: He told them that he hadn't eaten anything for over a week.
GOOD: He said that he hadn't eaten anything for over a week.
◆◆◆
tell sb sth (WITH indirect object): 'Jim told me that you've been offered a new job.'
say sth (WITHOUT indirect object): 'Jim said that you've been offered a new job.'
3
BAD: John said that he was trying to get to London. 'That's where I'm going,' told the man.
GOOD: John said that he was trying to get to London. 'That's where I'm going,' said the man.
◆◆◆
Say is used with both direct and indirect speech: "'I'm not going,"' he said.' 'He said he wasn't going.'
Tell is used only with indirect speech: 'He told me he wasn't going.'
4
BAD: Kiri was always telling about herself and her problems.
GOOD: Kiri was always talking about herself and her problems.
◆◆◆
talk about sth (NOT tell about ): 'Once she felt more relaxed, she began to talk about her real reasons for coming to see me.'
Compare tell sb about sth : 'Did you tell him about the party on Saturday?' 'Don't forget to tell the doctor about your headaches.'
