Comparing "very" and "so": shades of emphasis

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 14/11/2024, 16:25

English.me team member

What is similar?

Both "very" and "so" can be used as adverbs to modify adjectives, intensifying their meaning.

What is different?

The word "very" is typically used in a more neutral, matter-of-fact manner, while "so" can imply a stronger emotional emphasis or suggest a contrastive or consequential meaning.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Very

This test is very difficult.
She was very happy with the results.
The room was very quiet.

He was so excited that he couldn't sit still.
This soup is so spicy!
The car was so expensive that they couldn't afford it.