Notes 16/03

Grammar: Adding emphasis

(A) Watch the presentation. Practice saying the example sent

so ... that, such (a/an) ... (that),

There are many ways to emphasize an idea in a sentence.

This presentation looks at so that, such (a lan) (that),

even, and only

College is so overwhelming that many students

drop out

College is such an overwhelming experience that

many students drop out.

• Don't take refuge in your room. That will only make

things even worse

so ... that, such (a/an) ... (that), even and only

You can use so ... that or such (a /an)... (that) to emphasize the results or effects of something.

Use that to introduce the result or effect.

Use so before an adjective or an adverb.

. You'll be so excited that you can only think of the fun ahead

• Time will go by so fast that the first semester will be over before you know it

Use such a /an before a noun phrase. Be careful in many noun phrases there is an adjective

before the noun

College is such an overwhelming experience that many students drop out.

Even

You can use even to add emphasis or to signal that

something is surprising. Use it before the word, phrase,

or part of the sentence you want to emphasize.

• That will make things even worse.

• Even the best students don't always get A's.

To emphasize a verb phrase that has an auxiliary or modal

verb, even usually goes after the first auxiliary verb or after

the modal verb.

. You don't even realize.

(NOT You even don't realize.)

• It may even take a year to adjust to college life

Only

Only means “no one else" or "nothing else."

• You only want to take refuge in your room.

(= You don't want to do anything else.)

• It will only make things worse

(= There is no other possible result )

. It's only natural to feel anxious.

(= There is no other way to describe it.)

Only you can take charge of your situation.

(= You and no one else can do this.)

In a verb phrase that has an auxiliary or modal verb, only usually goes after the first auxiliary

verb or after the modal verb

. Don't worry if you have only been getting B grades.

• It will only make things worse.