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Grammar for Cause and Effect: How to use So... That... | On Your Mark's English

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A grammar poster titled "Grammar: Cause & Effect" showing icons of a heavy box and a crying face to illustrate the So... That rule.
A grammar poster explaining the "So... That..." pattern for cause and effect, with examples like "He was so happy that he cried."

How to Connect Cause and Effect

Sometimes, simply saying "very" isn't enough.

"The food was very spicy." (Okay, but what happened?)

To explain the result of that feeling, we use the So... That... pattern.


The Rule

Subject + Verb + SO + Adjective + THAT + Result Sentence

Step-by-Step Construction

  1. Start with the Cause (using SO): "The car was so expensive..."

  2. Add the Connector: "...that..."

  3. Add the Result: "...I didn't buy it.

Full Sentence: "The car was so expensive that I didn't buy it."


Examples

  • Cause: The exam was hard. Result: Everyone failed. "The exam was so hard that everyone failed." 📝

  • Cause: She is funny. Result: Everyone likes her. "She is so funny that everyone likes her." 😂


Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't use "very" in this structure.

  • ❌ Incorrect: "It was very cold that we stayed home."

  • ✅ Correct: "It was so cold that we stayed home."


Your Turn

Complete this sentence: "I was so hungry that I ate ______."

Did you eat a whole pizza? A horse?

Write your answer in the comments down below.


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