The word so in English

The different meanings of so

 So expresses consequence, with the general meaning of therefore („ezért”)
 So expresses purpose, with the meaning of in order that („azért, hogy…”)
 So expresses addition, with the general meaning of and also (”csakúgy, mint”)
 So expresses a degree; it is an intensifier with a meaning similar to very
 So expresses agreement or confirmation, with a general meaning of "it is true" or "it is the
case".
Now, let's look more closely at each of these,.

So expressing consequence.

Examples A:

1. I took my umbrella with me, so I didn't get wet. (“így”)

2. The pilots are all on strike, so there are no flights today.
3. They both have good jobs, so they have plenty of money.

The coordinated clause of consequence must follow the main clause. The two clauses
cannot be changed.

So expressing purpose

Examples B:

1. I took my umbrella with me, so I wouldn't get wet. (“azért, hogy …”)
2. So that you understand this, I'm making it as clear as possible.
3. So you understand me, I'm being as clear as possible.
4. I took the fast train, so I'd get home early.
5. I'm taking the small roads so as to avoid the traffic on the motorway.
In this case, so is a subordinating conjunction, expressing a purpose. It can either be used
alone, or else in the expression so that.
It can come before the main clause or it can be after it.

So as is used to express purpose, particularly in spoken English. In this case the verb in the
secondary clause is in the infinitive with to (example B5).

Note: so or in order for expressing purpose?

As a general rule, so that is much more common than in order that (except in formal written
language), and to or in order to are generally preferable to so as to (except in informal spoken
language).

So expressing addition
Examples C:

1. I once lived in Bombay, so did my boss.

2. He says he's got the answer, but so does everyone else.
3. This computer has broken down, and so has that one.
It expresses an additional or a duplicate action.
In this case, so introduces the second clause and the verb and the subject are inverted.

So expressing a degree

Examples D:

1. This ice-cream is so good. (meaning extremely good in my opinion) (“olyan”)

2. This ice-cream is ever so refreshing.
3. The computer is so old that it breaks down twice a week.
4. You'd work better if you didn't talk so much.
So does not quite mean the same as very; it is an intensifier, an adverb of degree qualifying an
adjective, and expressing relative high degree, or a perception of high degree.
It is often used to qualify an adjective in a statement of consequence.

!!! So charming vs such charming boys

So expressing agreement or confirmation

Examples E:

1. He was very angry, and he told me so .

2. I'm going to London next week, or at least I hope so .
3. You shouldn't really stop work before six, but you can do so today.
4. "Do we have enough money?" / "I think so "
5. "Will they ever know what really happened ?" / "I don't think so ."
6. So you've finished at last, have you?
In this sense it a substitute word. It refers back to a whole statement, not to a noun. It can be
used in dialogue to confirm the answer to a question.

Some other functions of so

So is used in a number of idiomatic phrases, such as "so and so ", "and so on" or "so-so" .

1. So and so said you were coming. (meaning an unspecified person).

2. ...... and so on. (meaning... and more of the same)
3. I'm feeling so-so today. (meaning not too bad, not too good).
4. So! That's the answer. (The initial free-standing so expresses surprise or another
emotion)..