so

soconjunction

So joins a result or a purpose to what comes before it, or moves a conversation on from what has already been said or seen.

1. resultand for this reason; and therefore

   The clause after so gives a result of what was said before it, or a conclusion drawn from it. In writing, a comma usually comes before this so.

   • It was raining, so we stayed at home.
   • I was hungry, so I made a sandwich.
   • The shop was closed, so we'll have to go back tomorrow.
   • He didn't study, so he failed the test.

   Synonyms therefore

   Compare because (because introduces the cause; so introduces the result: I stayed home because it rained / It rained, so I stayed home); that

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap Some languages can use a word for because and a word for so in the same sentence. English uses only one of them: Because it rained, we stayed home or It rained, so we stayed home.

2. purposein order that; with the aim that

   So and so that introduce the purpose of an action. The clause often contains can, could, will, or would. So that is common when the purpose must be clear, especially before a negative; so alone is very common in speech.

   • I left early so I wouldn't miss the train.
   • Speak louder so everyone can hear you.
   • She saved money so that she could buy a car.
   • Put the milk in the fridge so it stays cold.

   For translators (sense 2)

   Meaning across languages A result (it rained, so we stayed home) and a purpose (we left early so we could rest) are often different words in other languages. A purpose clause usually contains can, could, will, or would, and it describes something wanted, not something that happened.

3. starting or continuingused to begin a new subject, a question, or the next part of a story

   This so links what the speaker says to the situation or to what was said before: it opens a conversation, checks that the speaker has understood something, or asks what happens next. It is mainly spoken.

   • So, how was your weekend?
   • So you're Sam's brother! Nice to meet you.
   • So what did you do next?
   • So, where were we?

See also so (before an adjective or adverb, or standing for a clause: so tired, I think so)