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Melancholy Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

Can 'so' here be replaced by 'is' ?

The Administration would not rule out the possibility of introducing more stringent
administrative or legislative measures to enhance market transparency
in the sale of uncompleted residential properties if the situation so warranted.

What is the meaning of 'so' here?
  

Top answer

if the situation warrants this. 'is' doesn't have the same meaning.

— Nona the brit

  • if the situation warrants this.
  • 'is' doesn't have the same meaning.
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3 Answers
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...if the situation warrants this.

'is' doesn't have the same meaning.
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No, you can't use is .

if the situation so warranted

means:

if the situation would justify it (this way)
or:
should the situation justify it (this way)

As you can see, this is a subjunctive mood construction, describing a hypothetical situation.

So is relate
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Welcome to English Forums!

so = thus = in this manner

In this sentence:

if the situation so warranted =
if the situation warranted introducing more stringent administrative or legislative measures to enhance market transparency in the sale of uncompleted residential properties.

The use of so allows the writer to save writing all of that o
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