Usage of 'So' and 'To' in English

Usage of "So" and "To"

• "So" replaces the object clause after certain verbs, suggesting that the statement is inferred and known.
• Example of "so": "Do you hope Dad will come? I hope 'so'" means you avoid repeating, "I hope that Dad comes to the party."
• Common verbs that can use "so" include:
  • Appear: "It appears so."
  • Assume: "I assume so."
  • Believe: "I believe so."
  • Expect: "I expect so."
  • Hope: "I hope so."
  • Imagine: "I imagine so."
  • Presume: "I presume so."
  • Reckon: "I reckon so."
  • Seem: "Seem so."
  • Suppose: "I suppose so."
  • Think: "I think so."
• Sometimes "so" may be omitted after verbs: "I guess," "I reckon."

Negation of "So"

• To negate, add a negated auxiliary/modal verb before "so."
• Common negative forms include:
  • "I don't believe so."
  • "I don't think so."
  • "I'm afraid not."
  • "I guess not."
• Avoid using forms such as "I don't hope so" or "I don't guess so."

Usage of "To"

• "To" replaces the verb clause after certain verbs, indicating action.
• Example of "to": "I want to go" can be shortened to "I want to."
• Common verbs that can use "to" include:
  • Have: "I have to."
  • Want: "I want to."
  • Need: "I need to."
  • Used: "I used to."
  • Expect: "I expect to."
  • Like: "I like to."

Negation of "To"

• Negation involves inserting an auxiliary/modal verb before "to":
  • "I don't have to."
  • "She didn't want to."
  • "They haven't needed to."
  • "We didn't used to."

Additional Notes

• "To" often becomes unstressed and can contract in casual speech (e.g., haveta, wanna).
• A worksheet is available to practice usage and negation of "so" and "to."

Usage of "So"

• "So" can replace object clauses after specific verbs, implying inferred knowledge.
• Example: "Do you hope Dad will come? I hope 'so'" avoids repetition of "I hope that Dad comes."
• Common verbs that can use "so" include:
  • Appear
  • Assume
  • Believe
  • Expect
  • Hope
  • Imagine
  • Presume
  • Reckon
  • Seem
  • Suppose
  • Think
• In certain contexts, "so" can be omitted after verbs such as "guess" or "reckon."

Negation of "So"

• Negate "so" by placing a negative auxiliary/modal verb before it.
• Examples include:
  • "I don't believe so."
  • "I don't think so."
  • "I'm afraid not."
  • "I guess not."
• Phrases like "I don't hope so" or "I don't guess so" are incorrect.

Usage of "To"

• "To" substitutes verb clauses after specific verbs, indicating an action.
• Example: "I want to go" can be simplified to "I want to."
• Common verbs that can use "to" include:
  • Have
  • Want
  • Need
  • Used
  • Expect
  • Like

Negation of "To"

• Negation for "to" involves inserting an auxiliary/modal verb before "to."
• Examples include:
  • "I don't have to."
  • "She didn't want to."
  • "They haven't needed to."
  • "We didn't used to."

Additional Notes

• In casual speech, "to" can become unstressed or contracted (e.g., haveta, wanna).
• A worksheet is provided for practicing the usage and negation of "so" and "to."

This quiz explores the correct usage of 'so' and 'to' in English sentences. Learn how to replace object clauses with 'so' and understand negation forms. Perfect for students looking to improve their grammar skills.