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English 1b3 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
if you so need...
There are toilets at the back of the bus if you so need.
Is this correct?
I feel like 'so' needs to refer back to something explicitly stated - not something implied like in the above sentence.
Is this correct?
I feel like 'so' needs to refer back to something explicitly stated - not something implied like in the above sentence.
Top answer
It's a somewhat quaint and formal phrase. You can take it as if you need to go to the toilet (implicit) or if you need the toilets. (explicit) Either way, the meaning is clear, don't you think?
- It's a somewhat quaint and formal phrase.
- You can take it as if you need to go to the toilet (implicit) or if you need the toilets.
- (explicit) Either way, the meaning is clear, don't you think?
- Clive
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6 Answers
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It's a somewhat quaint and formal phrase.
You can take it as
if you need to go to the toilet (implicit)
or
if you need the toilets. (explicit)
Eith
You can take it as
if you need to go to the toilet (implicit)
or
if you need the toilets. (explicit)
Eith
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Well that's the thing. Yes, the meaning is clear. But I do believe you and others teach learners to stick to the rules, whether or not an ambiguity exists, correct?
For instance, dangling and misplaced modifiers often render a sentence ungrammatical, despite the fact that quite often the sentence's meaning is clear. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you would correct such an error.
For instance, dangling and misplaced modifiers often render a sentence ungrammatical, despite the fact that quite often the sentence's meaning is clear. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you would correct such an error.
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Your comment, 'either way, the meaning is clear don't you think?' threw me off. I took this to mean the sentence is ungrammatical, but the message is clear.
If it is in fact grammatical, then my above comment is irrelevant.
If it is in fact grammatical, then my above comment is irrelevant.
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A more common way to say it would be this.
eg
There are toilets at the back of the bus if you need.them.
eg
There are toilets at the back of the bus if you need.them.
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I don't find anything wrong with "so" here. I think this a polite way of referring to the action when one needs a toilet without saying it directly. So doesn't refer to the toilets themselves, it refers to the situation of needing them which may arise. Personally, I would take it a step further and not refer to "you" or "them" since the goal is to be polite and not mention the actual use of the t
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