Everyday Grammar: How So Can Replace A Lot of Information

Dr. Jill: Hello, John! What’s on your mind today? John: I was watching a movie last night, and I noticed a lot of statements that follow a pattern. Dr. Jill: Like what? John: Statements such as “I guess so,” or “I don’t think so.” Dr. Jill: Oh! Shortened statements with the word “so.” John: That’s right! They are quite common, particularly in everyday discussions. Dr. Jill: Yes, English speakers sometimes replace clauses – groups of words with a subject and a predicate - with the word “so.” John: But only when the clause repeats information. Dr. Jill: That’s right. Let’s give an example. If I asked you: “Have you seen this movie?” You could say: John: “I don't think so.” Dr. Jill: Here is what the example would have sounded like if you had not used the shortened statement: Dr. Jill: Have you seen this movie? John: I don’t think that I have seen this movie. Dr. Jill: Why do you think English speakers shorten clauses that way? Is it just laziness? John: Ha-ha! No, it’s not about laziness. It’s about keeping discussions moving along. Imagine how slow conversations would be if we repeated information over and over again! Dr. Jill: That’s right! English speakers often shorten clauses after certain verbs – think, guess, and say. John: And that’s why statements such as “I think so,” “I guess so,” or “she said so” are so common. Dr. Jill: Is that all we want to teach today? John: I think so. Dr. Jill: And I hope so, because we’re out of time! And that’s Everyday Grammar! Originally published at - https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a...