So and such
We often use the words so and such in the meaning of "very", "really".
I am so hungry! (= I am really hungry)
You look so beautiful! (= very beautiful)
It was such a difficult test! (= a really difficult test)
We had such a good time in Spain! (= we had a very good time)
Such + noun, so + adjective/adverb
It is important not to confuse "so" and "such".
"Such" goes together with a noun. There might be an adjective in between, but the noun is always present:
- such + noun
- such + adjective + noun
"So" goes with adjectives (e.g., nice, big, dark) and adverbs (e.g., well, quickly, poorly), there is no noun:
- so + adjective
- so + adverb
Compare
It was such a wonderful morning! That morning was so wonderful!
Your friends are so kind! I don't have such friends.
I've never heard such a song before. The song was so touching.
Mike cooks so well! He can cook such delicious dishes!
So + much, many, little, few
We use "so" with the words much, many, little, few to make them stronger. We might have a noun after these words, but it doesn't matter. We say "so" anyway.
Examples
There were so many people at the party! WRONG such many
Thank you so much for your help! WRONG such much
I've got so little time, I must hurry up. WRONG such little time
There are so few cafes in this area. WRONG such few cafes