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ShaNap Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

So & Too much

I've noticed that when using "should" as an auxiliary verb we sometimes use "too much" (when talking directly to someone) and sometimes we use "so" (when talking about someone in 3rd person); example:

You shouldn't watch too much TV.

He shouldn't watch TV so much.

1. Can someone clarify this issue?

2. Can I change the word order as well? e.g: He shouldn't watch so much TV. ?

Thanks.

Emotion: speechless
  

Top answer

You shouldn't watch so much TV. = You shouldn't watch the amount of TV that you do watch. You shouldn't watch too much TV.

— CalifJim

  • You shouldn't watch so much TV.
  • = You shouldn't watch the amount of TV that you do watch.
  • You shouldn't watch too much TV.
  • = You shouldn't watch an amount of TV that is excessive (according to either my own standard or some more objective standard of what is excessive).
  • Both of these are fine with the alternate word order you mentioned in your post.
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4 Answers
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You shouldn't watch so much TV. = You shouldn't watch the amount of TV that you do watch.
You shouldn't watch too much TV. = You shouldn't watch an amount of TV that is excessive (according to either my own standard or some more objective standard of what is excessive).

Both of these are fine with the alternate word order you mentioned in your post.

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So there is no problem in saying:

"He shouldn't watch TV too much." "He shouldn't watch too much TV." ?
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ShaNapSo there is no problem in saying:
"He shouldn't watch TV too much." "He shouldn't watch too much TV." ?
No. The subject makes no difference.

I shouldn't ...
You shouldn't ...
He shouldn't ...
She shouldn't ...
We shouldn't ...
They shouldn't ...

Who shouldn't ...?

CJ
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