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So great was the; that
Advanced Chunks – Category 3

Meaning

Used to emphasize an extreme degree or quality by stating its consequence after the clause, often in formal writing or literary contexts.

Primary Function

Emphatic cause‑effect expression that highlights intensity.

Communicative Purpose

To show how profoundly something is true by linking it directly to a notable result, conveying a sense of astonishment or significance.

Pattern

So great was the; that

Core Structure

So great was the; that

Função primária

Emphatic cause‑effect expression that highlights intensity.

Propósito comunicativo

To show how profoundly something is true by linking it directly to a notable result, conveying a sense of astonishment or significance.

Situações de gatilho

Formal writing, literary prose, speeches, and academic essays where stylistic emphasis is desired.

Contextos

Academic essays, literature, rhetorical discourse, and formal speeches; generally not used in casual conversation.

Padrão

So great was the; that

Estrutura central

So great was the; that

Slots de substituição

The adjective or adverb can vary; may use 'was', 'were', or passive constructions like 'had been' after the subject.

Colocados típicos

  • great
  • profound
  • intense

Substituições comuns

  • Such was X that (more neutral)
  • To such an extent did X that (formal)

Erros comuns

Omitting the 'that' clause, using non-verb forms for 'be' (e.g., 'is'), and incorrectly placing modifiers before the adjective instead of after it.

Similar / contraste

The X was so great that vs. Such was X that – one retains normal order, the other uses fronting inversion.

Interferências

Learners from languages without strong subject-verb inversion may default to 'X is/are so great that,' losing the emphatic fronted structure.

Família do chunk

  • Predicative fronting inversion

Nuance

Adds a literary flair and signals sophisticated command of English syntax in formal registers, conveying authority and stylistic polish.

Efeito pragmático

Conveys authority, stylistic polish, and persuasive impact, often used by speakers or writers aiming to impress or persuade their audience.

Dica de memória

So great was ... that

Nota

Inversion emphasizes the consequence of the action.

Upgrade path

From simpler causal forms like 'It was such a problem that…' to more advanced inverted forms like 'So great was it that…' and even poetic inversions like 'Such were they that…'

Frequência: HighFormulaicidade: Semi-fixedTipo de construção: Sentence framePrioridade de aquisição: Active recallPrioridade de output: OutputTag de espaçamento: Long-term

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