So vs. Very — What's the Difference?

Difference Between So and Very

Compare with Definitions

So

To such a great extent

Don't look so worried

The words tumbled out so fast that I could barely hear them

I'm not so foolish as to say that

Very

In a high degree; extremely

Very happy.

Very much admired.

So

To the same extent (used in comparisons)

He isn't so bad as you'd think

Help without which he would not have done so well

Very

Truly; absolutely

The very best advice.

Attended the very same schools.

So

Referring back to something previously mentioned.

Very

Very Used in titles

The Very Reverend Jane Smith.

So

In the way described or demonstrated; thus

So it was that he was still a bachelor

Hold your arms so

Very

Complete; absolute

At the very end of his career.

So

And for this reason; therefore

You know I'm telling the truth, so don't interrupt

It was still painful so I went to see a specialist

Very

Being the same; identical

That is the very question she asked yesterday.

So

With the aim that; in order that

They whisper to each other so that no one else can hear

Very

Being particularly suitable or appropriate

The very item needed to increase sales.

So

And then; as the next step

And so to the final

Very

Used to emphasize the importance of what is specified

The very mountains shook.

So

Introducing a question

So, what did you do today?

Very

Being nothing more than what is specified; mere

The very act of riding in the car made him dizzy.

So

Introducing a statement which is followed by a defensive comment

So I like keeping track of things—what's wrong with that?

Very

(Archaic) Genuine; true

"Like very sanctity, she did approach" (Shakespeare).

So

Introducing a concluding statement

So that's that

Very

(literary) True, real, actual.

The fierce hatred of a very woman.

The very blood and bone of our grammar.

He tried his very best.

We're approaching the very end of the trip.

So

In the same way; correspondingly

Just as bad money drives out good, so does bad art drive out the good

Very

The same; identical.

He proposed marriage in the same restaurant, at the very table where they first met.

That's the very tool that I need.

So

Variant spelling of soh

Very

With limiting effect: mere.

So

To the amount or degree expressed or understood; to such an extent

She was so happy that she cried.

Very

To a great extent or degree.

That dress is very you.

Not very many (of them) had been damaged.

She's very like her mother.

‘Is she busy?’ ― ‘Not very.’

So

To a great extent; to such an evident degree

But the idea is so obvious.

Very

Conforming to fact, reality or rule; true.

So

Afterward; then

To the gas station and so home.

Very

(with superlatives) Used to firmly establish that nothing else surpasses in some respect.

He was the very best runner there.

So

Used to preface a remark or signal a new subject

So what happened here? So I'm going to the store to buy some milk.

Very

True; real; actual; veritable.

Whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

The very essence of truth is plainness and brightness.

I looked on the consideration of public service or public ornament to be real and very justice.

So

In the same way; likewise

You were on time, and so was I.

Very

In a high degree; to no small extent; exceedingly; excessively; extremely; as, a very great mountain; a very bright sun; a very cold day; the river flows very rapidly; he was very much hurt.

So

Apparently; well, then. Used in expressing astonishment, disapproval, or sarcasm

So you think you've got troubles?.

Very

Precisely as stated;

The very center of town

So

In truth; indeed; assuredly

"You aren't right." "I am so!".

Very

Being the exact same one; not any other:;

This is the identical room we stayed in before

The themes of his stories are one and the same

Saw the selfsame quotation in two newspapers

On this very spot

The very thing he said yesterday

The very man I want to see

So

(Informal) Used as an intensive, especially with verbs or verb phrases

They want to move in with us, but that is so not going to happen.

Very

Used to give emphasis to the relevance of the thing modified;

His very name struck terror

Caught in the very act

So

In the condition or manner expressed or indicated; thus

Hold the brush so.

Very

Used to give emphasis;

The very essence of artistic expression is invention

The very back of the room

So

True; factual

I wouldn't have told you this if it weren't so.

Very

Used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal;

She was very gifted

He played very well

A really enjoyable evening

I'm real sorry about it

A rattling good yarn

So

In good order

Everything on his desk must be exactly so.

Very

Precisely so;

On the very next page

He expected the very opposite

So

For that reason; therefore

This is the easiest way to get there, so don't argue.

So

With the result or consequence that

He failed to appear, so we went on without him.

So

With the purpose that

I stayed so I could see you.

So

Used to express surprise or comprehension

So! You've finished your work at last.

So

Variant of sol1.

So

Reduced form of 'so that', used to express purpose; in order that.

I got an earlier train to work so I'd have plenty of time to prepare for the meeting.

Eat your broccoli so you can have dessert.

So

With the result that; for that reason; therefore.

I was hungry, so I asked if there was any more food.

He ate too much cake, so he fell ill.

He wanted a book, so he went to the library.

“I need to go to the bathroom.” ― “So go!”

So

Used to connect previous conversation or events to the following question.

So how does this story end?

So

Used to introduce a rhetorical question.

“We'd like to visit but I don't know if we can afford a hotel.” — “So who's staying in a hotel? Stay with us.”

So

(archaic) Provided that; on condition that, as long as.

So

To the (explicitly stated) extent that.

It was so hot outside that all the plants died.

He was so good, they hired him on the spot.

So

(informal) To the (implied) extent.

I need a piece of cloth so long. [= this long]

There are only so many hours in a day.

So

(informal) Very (positive clause).

I feel so much better now.

I so nearly lost my temper.

So

(informal) Very (negative clause).

It’s not so bad. [i.e. it's acceptable]

So

Very much.

But I so want to see the Queen when she visits our town!

That is so not true!

So

In a particular manner.

Place the napkin on the table just so. If that's what you mean, then say so; (or do so).

So

In the same manner or to the same extent as aforementioned; also.

Just as you have the right to your free speech, so I have the right to mine.

Many people say she's the world's greatest athlete, but I don't think so.

"I can count backwards from one hundred." "So can I."

‘There're another two.’ ‘So there are.’

So

To such an extent or degree; as.

So far as;

So long as;

So much as

So

True, accurate.

That is so.

You are responsible for this, is that not so?

So

In that state or manner; with that attribute. A proadjective that replaces the aforementioned adjective phrase.

So

Homosexual.

Is he so?

So

Used after a pause for thought to introduce a new topic, question or story, or a new thought or question in continuation of an existing topic.

So, let's go home.

So, what'll you have?

So, there was this squirrel stuck in the chimney...

So, everyone wants to know – did you win the contest or not?

So

Used as a question to ask for further explanation of something said, often rhetorically or in a dismissive or impolite manner.

"You park your car in front of my house every morning." — "So?"

So

Used as a meaningless filler word to begin a response to a question.

What are you doing? / So I'm just fixing this shelf.

What time does the train leave? / So it leaves at 10 o'clock.

So

(archaic) Be as you are; stand still; used especially to cows; also used by sailors.

So

In that manner or degree; as, indicated (in any way), or as implied, or as supposed to be known.

Why is his chariot so long in coming?

So

In like manner or degree; in the same way; thus; for like reason; whith equal reason; - used correlatively, following as, to denote comparison or resemblance; sometimes, also, following inasmuch as.

As a war should be undertaken upon a just motive, so a prince ought to consider the condition he is in.

So

In such manner; to such degree; - used correlatively with as or that following; as, he was so fortunate as to escape.

I viewed in may mind, so far as I was able, the beginning and progress of a rising world.

He is very much in Sir Roger's esteem, so that he lives in the family rather as a relation than dependent.

So

Very; in a high degree; that is, in such a degree as can not well be expressed; as, he is so good; he planned so wisely.

So

In the same manner; as has been stated or suggested; in this or that condition or state; under these circumstances; in this way; - with reflex reference to something just asserted or implied; used also with the verb to be, as a predicate.

Use him [your tutor] with great respect yourself, and cause all your family to do so too.

It concerns every man, with the greatest seriousness, to inquire into those matters, whether they be so or not.

He is Sir Robert's son, and so art thou.

So

The case being such; therefore; on this account; for this reason; on these terms; - used both as an adverb and a conjuction.

God makes him in his own image an intellectual creature, and so capable of dominion.

Here, then, exchange we mutually forgiveness;So may the guilt of all my broken vows,My perjuries to thee, be all forgotten.

So

It is well; let it be as it is, or let it come to pass; - used to express assent.

And when 't is writ, for my sake read it over,And if it please you, so; if not, why, so.

There is Percy; if your father will do me any honor, so; if not, let him kill the next Percy himself.

So

Well; the fact being as stated; - used as an expletive; as, so the work is done, is it?

So

Is it thus? do you mean what you say? - with an upward tone; as, do you say he refuses? So?

So

About the number, time, or quantity specified; thereabouts; more or less; as, I will spend a week or so in the country; I have read only a page or so.

A week or so will probably reconcile us.

So do, as thou hast said.

As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Had woman been so strong as men.

No country suffered so much as England.

So

Provided that; on condition that; in case that; if.

Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose play upon the earth, so truth be in the field, we do injuriously, by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength.

So

Be as you are; stand still; stop; that will do; right as you are; - a word used esp. to cows; also used by sailors.

So

The syllable naming the fifth (dominant) note of any musical scale in solmization

So

Conforming to truth;

I wouldn't have told you this if it weren't so

A truthful statement

So

Marked by system; in good order;

Everything is in order

His books are always just so

Things must be exactly so

So

To a very great extent or degree;

The idea is so obvious

Never been so happy

I love you so

My head aches so!

So

In order that;

He stooped down so he could pick up his hat

So

In such a condition or manner, especially as expressed or implied;

They're happy and I hope they will remain so

So live your life that old age will bring no regrets

So

To a certain unspecified extent or degree;

I can only go so far with this student

Can do only so much in a day

So

In the same way; also;

I was offended and so was he

Worked hard and so did she

So

In the way indicated;

Hold the brush so

Set up the pieces thus

So

(usually followed by `that') to an extent or degree as expressed;

He was so tired he could hardly stand

So dirty that it smells

So

Subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors);

Then he left

Go left first, then right

First came lightning, then thunder

We watched the late movie and then went to bed

And so home and to bed

So

In truth (often tends to intensify);

They said the car would break down and indeed it did

It is very cold indeed

Was indeed grateful

Indeed, the rain may still come

He did so do it!

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