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Pedants' corner
Original poster

Why do so many posts begin with So?

34 replies

DianaTremaine · 08/12/2019 18:16

I've noticed this a lot on MN at the moment.

Has this always been a thing or is it more recent?

I find it irritating, largely because the "So" is superfluous and the sentence reads better without it.

OP posts:
AdaColeman · 08/12/2019 19:52

So that the question or reply sounds more considered and thoughtful. So adds a level of gravitas to the post.

So, does that answer your question?

Original poster
DianaTremaine · 08/12/2019 21:29

Ada yes those sentences seem more polite. I've not explained myself well.

For example:

"So, last night MIL was here... "
"So, DP and I have been together for 3 years... "

In this context the "so" just seems unnecessary.

OP posts:
Topseyt · 08/12/2019 22:11

It does irritate me a little. It isn't necessary, but it seems to be the way some people speak, so they write it too.

JorisBonson · 08/12/2019 22:14

Winds me right up. I'm with you OP.

maidenover · 08/12/2019 22:24

I think it’s because starting a thread can feel like interrupting a conversation.

olivertwistwantsmore · 20/12/2019 13:37

So, I went to a lecture on this recently. David Denison gave a talk about the linguistic uses of 'so' at the British Library Grammar Day in July.

You can download his talk from personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/staff/david.denison/downloads

Very interesting!

JoyceJames · 20/12/2019 17:44

I don't know. My kids use it, though

Personally, and off topic, I think I'll spit if I read another thread where someone "turns around and says" .

Bluerussian · 02/01/2020 02:34

Oh my goodness, yes, JoyceJames! I can visualise them doing 90 degrees.

BlueRussianCat · 02/01/2020 02:40

Because it's how I would often start a convo irl: "so... I went out last night and blab blah" because it sounds more informal and conversational to me. Just starting with "I went out last night and.." doesn't always seem right, the "so" signifies you want the speakers attention, I guess, can work to break a silence without feeling blunt.

I guess it just carried over

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 11/02/2020 21:39

"So" has simply taken over from "Um" as the filler at the start of a sentence while you are working out what to say.

Lynda07 · 28/02/2020 01:32

People may start a sentence with 'So' when speaking but writing should be in more formal English. It drives me potty reading so many sentences and even threads starting with 'So'. One day I read a long opening post in which nearly every paragraph started with 'So'.

mn12345 · 28/02/2020 01:40

So what.

Lynda07 · 09/03/2020 15:01

Three paragraphs starting with 'so' in an opening post today.

What is the matter with people?

RaraRachael · 11/05/2020 13:57

I've noticed that a lot of people being interviewed on TV start every sentence with "So....". I think I've just become aware of this due to the amount of TV I'm watching at the moment.

OculusThrift · 11/05/2020 14:00

So, hear me out...posts that start like this...then continue to go on like this...I don't know really...it's fine but really it isn't...what do you think?

missmouse101 · 11/05/2020 14:04

I can't bear the way so many people say 'absolutely' instead of a straightforward 'yes' and the ridiculous 'obsessed with'. No one can simply be fond of anything any more. Strangely, I don't mind the 'So...' too much!

CurlsandCurves · 11/05/2020 14:08

I listened to an interview on Radio 4 a few months back. It was only a short 2 minute interview but the interviewee began EVERY response with ‘So...’. And not just at the beginning. Almost every sentence of her response began that way too. It was absolutely infuriating to listen to.

It got me so wound up I was almost yelling at the radio ‘Stop saying ‘so’ every time you begin a sentence!!!’

Lynda07 · 31/05/2020 04:14

And so it continues (that's a poor attempt at a joke).

I've noticed threads starting with, "Ok so.....". Plenty more have umpteen sentences, even paragraphs, starting with, "So".

What is the matter with people?

MeanMrMustardSeed · 31/05/2020 04:20

It totally winds me up too, and is definitely a new phenomenon. I’ve been wondering if others have noticed and are feeling the same!

Lynda07 · 31/05/2020 04:56

Mean, it has been mentioned on her alone umpteen times. I'm glad you've noticed but cannot understand why those who do it haven't noticed and stopped! There's no excuse.

Lynda07 · 31/05/2020 04:57

I meant 'here alone', not 'her alone'. Hee hee. Nobody is infallible :-).

Papatron · 31/05/2020 05:21

Blimey. People have only just noticed this one? It's been going on for years. Particularly with interviewees on Radio 4. It's really just a vocal tic which people have picked up from one another/from the media. I remember in the 90s we used to start everything by saying "basically". Which I still do sometimes.

"So" is particularly irritating because it is a word that should follow a statement and link things, not begin a statement.
Even more annoying when it's written.

CherryValanc · 31/05/2020 05:47

"So, ..." as a sentence starter has definitely been going on for years.

In fact I recall a huge scrap on parenting message board about it, which must have happened about 12 years ago at least. (Not sure why I recall it, someone was writing a book and posted the first chapter and it started with "So" - there was then about 5000 posts of mud slinging about it.)

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 31/05/2020 07:11

So I would say it’s a good word to get attention from the get go,.

Or just fashionable. A phase.

Lynda07 · 31/05/2020 10:59

It has been going on for years but far more noticeable in recent times, maybe in my case because I post here and see it regularly whereas I didn't before.

Speaking with someone is one thing but it was always my understanding that writing should be more formal.

It's a very bad habit and, "OK, so...", even worse!