Adverbial clauses of result

1.52.1 Conjunctions and sequence of verb forms in clauses of result These clauses describe consequences. They can be introduced by that after so + adjective to answer, e.g. How (quick)?:

His reactions are so quick (that) no one can match him and by that afterso + adverb to answer, e.g. How (quickly)?:

He reacts so quickly (that) no one can match him They can also be introduced by that after such (a) + noun (or adjective + noun) to answer questions like What s (he) like'?:

He is such a marvellous joker (that) you can't help laughing

They are such wonderful players (that) no one can beat them W hen that is omitted informally, a comma is sometimes used:

His reactions are so quick() no one can match him Such + obligatory that can be used in formal English as follows:

His reactions are such that no one can match him

The complex sentence adverbial clauses

Result clauses with and without that can also be used after so + much many, few, tittle, etc.:

There was so much to lose (that) we couldn't take any risks They can also be used after such a lot of:

There was such a lot of rain (that) we couldn't go out

So and such (heavily stressed in speech) can be used without that, so

a that-clause may be strongly implied: He was so angry ' (i.e. that there were consequences) The children made such a mess! (i.e. that there were consequences)

In colloquial English that is sometimes heard in place of so: It was that cold, (that) I could hardly get to sleep The roads were that icy! (i.e. that there were consequences)