Can someone help with this sentence please

Question

I was writing a letter to my friend about having a mid-life crisis. What I was trying to say was that there is so much I want to do with my life, but I don't think I will be able to do all the things I want to because I'm getting old.

Which of the following is correct?

a) There is so much I want to do with my life, but I'm scared I won't be able to do it all.

b) There is so much I want to do with my life. I'm scared I won't be able to do it all.

c) There is so much I want to do with my life; I'm scared I won't be able to do it all.

d) There is so much I want to do with my life - I'm scared I won't be able to do it all.

Thanks for your help

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I was struggling with a similar post yesterday.

In my opinion, "so much" requires a following "that," unless it's an exclamation.

Wow! This is so big!

I was expecting some feedback on it, but none was forthcoming.

There is so much I want to do with my life that I can't possibly get it all done.

There's a lot more I want to do with my life. I'm scared I'll die before I can do it all.

If you're just worried about the punctuation, my recommendation is b) or c).
I like the semi, but many of our members don't.

I didn't mean to rewrite your sentences. I was just trying to make a point about "so much . . . that . . . . "

English 1b3 · Answer

AvangiIn my opinion, "so much" requires a following "that," unless it's an exclamation

Did you read this somewhere or is it just your gut instinct perhaps? The construct you speak of is definitely more common than the OP's, but I do wonder whether we need the 'that.' I'm interested to find this out also!

Avangi · Answer

English 1b3 Did you read this somewhere or is it just your gut instinct perhaps?

Hmmm. Why do you suppose I prefaced it with "in my opinion," and remarked that I'm (still, by the way) hoping for feedback?

It seems like every time I stick my nose into one of these, a guru will come back with:
"This is an example of the so - - - - - - - that construction," making it sort of official.

Do you find "I have so much more to do with my life." to be a natural declarative sentence?

Best regards, - A.

ETA My formal grammar training was many years ago, and there's been considerable water over the bridge (or under the dam). People are writing new rules all the time. I'm sure I've read a lot of rules - not as many as you - but I'd hate to have to footnote all of them at this point in my life. I guess anyone can search Google.
If I had a citation in hand, I'd gladly offer it.

Can someone help with this sentence please

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