I read an email. Then I started asking myself "What's the difference between so and really?" I couldn't answer my own question with my background knowledge.
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3You need to give the sentence in which you think of using one or other of those words.– Kate BuntingFeb 13, 2019 at 9:12
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1Have you tried looking up the two words in a good dictionary?– KrisFeb 13, 2019 at 9:50
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2Related/ Possible Duplicate: "Difference between so, very, extremely and really" english.stackexchange.com/q/47217/14666 ; "Really + [adjective] vs So + [adjective]" ell.stackexchange.com/q/13911/99– KrisFeb 13, 2019 at 10:02
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2 Answers
The intensifier so relates to a gradable use of an adjective whereas really goes with an absolute reference.
He drives so fast.
This refers to "how fast" (gradable).
He drives really fast (absolute).
This refers to the fact that he drives fast.
However, in contemporary usage, both writers and readers are accustomed to the words being interchangeably used very often, especially by the young.
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I might add that the adverb 'really' in 'He drives really fast' is similar to 'very'.
And with 'so', you can also add a result, as in '....so adverb/adjective that...."
He drives so fast that I'm afraid to get in his car. I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse. It's so cold that I can see my breath when I exhale.
