So (sentence closer)

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So is a word that may be used to end sentences. When ending a sentence, it may be a coordinating conjunctive dangling "so" (sometimes called trailing "so")[1] to refer forwards to something that may be said, an intensifying adverb or a coordinating conjunctive to refer backwards to something previously mentioned.

Dangling so

A dangling "so" in conversation invites the listener to articulate or consider the implications of the information provided without the speaker having to articulate it himself or herself.[2][3] It has been interpreted as sometimes a form of bragging.[4] A dangling "so" in conversation may be represented in text as “so” followed by an ellipsis symbol "…".[1][5] Examples of dangling "so":

  • “Yeah, it’s pretty exciting, though we’re not really sure whether it will work out, so…”
  • Speaker 1: “How was your date?“ Speaker 2: “Well, he didn’t show up, so…“

Intensifying adverb

"So" may close a sentence as an intensifying adverb, such as in “I love her so.”. "So" in the middle of a sentence can also be an intensifying adverb, such as in “I so love her.”.[5]

Referring back

"So" may be used to refer back to something previously mentioned, such as:[6]

  • "If she notices, she never says so."
  • Speaker 1: "Has somebody called an ambulance?” Speaker 2: ”I believe so.”

Other possibilities

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See also

References

Further reading

  • Implementing incipient actions: The discourse marker ‘so’ in English conversation Journal of Pragmatics Galina B. Bolden Vol 41 Issue 5 May 2009, P974–998