The Basic Idea
In short, "so" acts as a substitute for an entire clause that starts with "that." It's used to avoid repeating information that has just been mentioned.
Let's look at a simple example:
* Question: "Is Sarah coming to the meeting?"
* Full Answer: "I think that Sarah is coming to the meeting."
* Natural Answer: "I think so."
Here, "so" replaces the entire clause "that Sarah is coming to the meeting."
Common Verbs Used with "So"
This substitution doesn't work with all verbs. It's most commonly used with verbs related to belief, thought, opinion, and perception.
Here are the most frequent ones:
| Verb Category | Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Belief / Opinion | think, believe, suppose, guess, expect, imagine, reckon | A: "Will it rain tomorrow?" B: "I suppose so." |
| Hope | hope | A: "Did you pass the exam?" B: "I hope so!" |
| Appearance | seem, appear | A: "Is the train late?" B: "It seems so." |
| Information | say, hear, understand, be told | A: "Is the store closed for the holiday?" B: "I hear so." |
| Fear / Doubt | be afraid | A: "Are we out of coffee?" B: "I'm afraid so." |
The Negative Form: A Crucial Distinction
This is where it gets a little tricky. The negative form changes depending on the verb.
1. For Verbs of Belief/Opinion (think, believe, suppose, etc.)
You make the main verb negative. You do not say "I think not."
* Correct: "I don't think so." / "I don't believe so." / "I don't suppose so."
* Incorrect: "I think not so." / "I believe not so."
Example:
* A: "Are the tickets sold out?"
* B: "I don't think so, but you should check."
2. For Verbs like "Hope," "Be Afraid," and "Guess"
You use the word "not" after the verb.
* Correct: "I hope not." / "I'm afraid not." / "I guess not."
* Incorrect: "I don't hope so." / "I'm not afraid so."
Example:
* A: "Is the flight cancelled?"
* B: "Oh, I really hope not!"
Quick Reference Table for Negatives
| Use "don't + verb + so" | Use "verb + not" |
|---|---|
| I don't think so | I hope not |
| I don't believe so | I'm afraid not |
| I don't suppose so | I guess not |
| I don't imagine so | |
| I don't expect so | |
Why and When to Use This Structure
* To Sound Natural and Conversational: Repeating the full clause is grammatically correct but sounds very formal, robotic, or overly emphatic. In everyday speech, we almost always use the "so" shortcut.
* To Avoid Repetition: It's efficient. The context is already established, so there's no need to state the full idea again.
* To Express Uncertainty Softly: Saying "I think so" is often softer and less definite than a simple "Yes." It shows that you are giving your opinion or belief, not stating a hard fact.
* "Are we winning?"
* "Yes." (This is a statement of fact.)
* "I think so." (This is your perception or opinion. You might be wrong.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
* Don't use it with verbs of certainty. We don't say "I know so" or "I'm sure so." Instead, you would just say "I know" or "I'm sure."
* Don't confuse it with "it". While sometimes interchangeable ("I believe so" vs. "I believe it"), "so" refers to the truth of the clause, while "it" often refers to a fact or a piece of information. The most idiomatic choices are the ones listed in the tables above. For example, "I doubt so" is incorrect; you must say "I doubt it."
Examples in Dialogue
Scenario 1: Making plans
* Alex: "Do you think the café will still be open at 9 PM?"
* Ben: "I think so. Their sign says they close at 10."
Scenario 2: Worrying about the weather
* Chloe: "Oh no, is it going to rain during our picnic?"
* David: "I hope not! I didn't bring an umbrella."
Scenario 3: Office conversation
* Maria: "Did the boss approve our request for a new printer?"
*
Tom: "I'm afraid not. The budget is too tight this quarter."
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