{"id":59649,"date":"2021-03-03T06:11:29","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T06:11:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lingobest.com\/free-online-english-course\/?p=59649"},"modified":"2023-02-23T09:45:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T09:45:32","slug":"using-so-in-english-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lingobest.com\/free-online-english-course\/using-so-in-english-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"Using \u201cSo\u201d in English Conversation – ESL Speaking Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that so <\/em><\/strong>is one of the top 50 words used in English? If you’re not already using this word, keep reading because once you have this conversation strategy in your toolbelt, your speaking in English will be more fluent. One of the best words you can add to your English knowledge is so<\/em><\/strong>, because we use this to make sure we understand what the other person is saying when we are having a conversation. Keep reading this blog post to learn ESL speaking tips<\/strong> by using<\/strong> so<\/em> in English<\/strong> and for some examples of questions you can ask in conversations. Shall we get started? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How so<\/em> can help you in a conversation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Picture this situation… you are talking to Tina, a colleague from your English course. There\u2019s a conversation class this Friday and you are talking about whether you should attend the event. Let\u2019s imagine this conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Julia:<\/strong> Hey, Tina. How are you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tina:<\/strong> Hey, Julia. Good, and you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia:<\/strong> I\u2019m doing fine. So, did you get the invite for the conversation class this Friday? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tina:<\/strong> Yes, I did get that email. I am not sure if I am going to attend, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia:<\/strong> Oh, really?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tina:<\/strong> Yeah. To be honest, I am still not very confident with my English. I went to one of those a few weeks ago and I didn\u2019t have a good time, so… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia:<\/strong> I understand. But the conversation class can actually help you build that confidence. I don\u2019t feel very confident either, but I like going to these events because I end up learning a lot. So, how do you feel about giving it another try? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tina:<\/strong> You\u2019re very kind, Julia. But I don\u2019t feel ready yet, you know? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia:<\/strong> Right, that\u2019s okay. Next Friday there will be a cooking class. Maybe you will like this one better? I remember you saying that you love to cook. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tina: <\/strong>Cooking class? I love cooking. I would like this, for sure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia: <\/strong>So you are going to the cooking class? Can I RSVP for both of us? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tina:<\/strong> Yes! I would love to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia: <\/strong>Awesome! I am sure you will have fun and learn a lot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tina:<\/strong> So, yeah. Should we grab a coffee before class starts? It\u2019s still 8:45. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Julia:<\/strong> Yeah, let\u2019s go. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

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6 ESL speaking tips: how to use so<\/em> in a conversation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We can use so <\/em>in English<\/strong> in many different ways during a conversation. Let\u2019s take a look at some ESL speaking tips and reasons to use this word and some examples. Also, make sure to read more about strategies for dealing with unfamiliar vocabulary in English<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start a conversation topic<\/strong> with so<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first questions Julia asked Tina was \u201cSo, did you get the invite for the conversation class this Friday?\u201d Using so<\/em><\/strong> in English is a good way to start a new conversation topic. Here is another example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hi, Anna. 
Hey, Mike. 
So, are you feeling better today? Kelly told me you called in sick yesterday. 
Yeah, I had the worst headache. I\u2019m good now. Thanks for asking! <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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Check your understanding<\/strong>\u00a0with so<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When Julia asks \u201cSo you are going to the cooking class? Can I RSVP for both of us?<\/em>\u201d she is using so<\/strong> to confirm that Tina would like to attend the cooking class. Earlier, she had said that she was interested in going but didn\u2019t really confirm. Many ESL students need to practice this speaking strategy in English, especially when they draw a conclusion but want to confirm whether they are correct or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is another example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hannah, I\u2019m not feeling well.  
Oh no, I\u2019m sorry.  
Yeah, I guess I have a cold or something. 
So you are not going to the party tonight, are you? 
No. I think I should stay home and rest. Yeah, you\u2019re right. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

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Pause or let the other person draw a conclusion<\/strong> with so<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here is another great speaking tip for ESL students<\/strong>. You can use so<\/em> to pause a sentence. This gives another person an opportunity to draw a conclusion. Remember when Tina says \u201cYeah. To be honest, I am still not very confident with my English. I went to one of those a few weeks ago and I didn\u2019t have a good time, so\u2026\u201d<\/em>? In this case, she is letting the other person finish her thoughts. The conclusion here is that she will not go to the event because she didn\u2019t have a good experience when she went to the same type of event weeks before. Here is another example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richard, can I stop by your house around 11 a.m.? 
I will be at the gym at 11 a.m., so … 
Oh ok. No worries. What time should I stop by then? 
I\u2019ll be home around 1 p.m. Does that work for you? 
Yeah. See you later, then!  <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Close a conversation topic<\/strong> with so<\/em> in English<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After they talk about the conversation class and the cooking class, Tina says \u201cSo, yeah. Should we grab a coffee before class starts? It\u2019s still 8:45.\u201d<\/em> She uses \u201cso\u201d to close the topic about the English class events and then starts a new topic.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Megan, are you going to the movies this evening? 
I was going to, but my car broke down. So, yeah. I\u2019ll just stay home and watch something on Netflix. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t

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My car broke down. So<\/strong>, yeah. I\u2019ll just stay home tonight.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Express consequence<\/strong> with so<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We can also use so in English<\/strong> as another way to say therefore<\/em>. For example, you can say: <\/p>\n\n\n\n