'so' and 'such' &

deductions about the

past
10/08/2023
On the agenda

Expression of So and Such Deductions Exercises Conversation

the day topics
 Hit the sack
We use the phrase ‘Hit the Sack’ to
indicate that it’s time to go to bed.
Example of use: “I’ve got to get up
early tomorrow, so I’m going to hit the
sack.”
Interesting fact about Hit the Sack
In the days before modern mattresses,
people often slept on large sacks filled
with hay. The term ‘hit the sack’ is
believed to have come into common
use before 1880.
Intensifiers: 'so' and
'such'
SHE'S SO INTERESTING!
THIS IS SUCH AN INTERESTING BOOK.
A NEW PHONE COSTS SO MUCH MONEY THESE DAYS.
TRAFFIC IN THE CITY CENTER IS SUCH A NIGHTMARE!
Grammar explanation
Adjectives and adverbs
We can use so with an adjective or adverb to make it stronger.
◦ It's so hot today!
She looks so young in that photo.
He walks so slowly. It's so annoying!

If we are using the comparative form of the adjective or adverb, we use so much to
make it stronger.
◦ They were so much more innocent when they were younger.
I work so much more quickly when I can concentrate.
Grammar explanation
Nouns
With a noun or adjective + noun, we use such to make it stronger.
◦ You're such an angel!
It's such a hot day today!
They're such lovely trousers. Where did you buy them?

However, when we use much, many, little and few with a noun, we use so to make it
stronger.
◦ There are so many people here!
I've had so little time to myself this week.
Grammar explanation
Saying the result
We often use these so and such structures with that and a clause to say what the result
is.
◦ It was so cold that the water in the lake froze.
He was such a good teacher that we all passed the exam.
There's so much noise that I can't think!
Modals: deductions
about the past
A N E A RT H Q U A K E ? T H AT M U S T H AV E B E E N T E R R I F Y I N G !

W E D O N ' T K N O W F O R S U R E T H AT A L E X B R O K E T H E C O F F E E TA B L E . I T M I G H T H AV E B E E N T H E
DOG.

H O W D I D S H E FA I L T H AT E X A M ? S H E C A N ' T H AV E S T U D I E D V E RY M U C H .
Grammar explanation
We can use modal verbs for deduction – guessing if something is true using the
available information. The modal verb we choose shows how certain we are about the
possibility. This page focuses on making deductions about the past.

must have
We use must have + past participle when we feel sure about what happened.
◦ Who told the newspapers about the prime minister's plans? It must have been someone close to him.
The thief must have had a key. The door was locked and nothing was broken.
Oh, good! We've got milk. Mo must have bought some yesterday.
Grammar explanation
might have / may have
We can use might have or may have + past participle when we think it's possible that
something happened.
◦ I think I might have left the air conditioning on. Please can you check?
Police think the suspect may have left the country using a fake passport.

May have is more formal than might have. Could have is also possible in this context but
less common.
Grammar explanation
can't have / couldn't have
We use can't have and couldn't have + past participle when we think it's not possible
that something happened.
◦ She can't have driven there. Her car keys are still here.
I thought I saw Adnan this morning but it couldn't have been him – he's in Greece this week.
Conversation Questions
1. If you had a time machine, where would you have traveled to in history?
2. If you had won the lottery, what would have been the first thing you'd have done with the
money?
3. If you could have witnessed any event from history, what would it have been and why?
4. If you had known a global pandemic was coming, how would you have prepared differently?
5. If you had been born into royalty, how might your life have been both advantageous and
challenging?
6. If you could have met any famous person, who would you have met?
7. If you could have lived in a different era, which one would you have chosen?