So (sentence opener)
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So is a word that, apart from its other uses, has become increasing popular in recent years as a coordinating conjunctive opening word in a sentence. This device is particularly used when answering questions although the questioner may also use the device.
Historical use
The first known written use of "so" as a sentence opener is in several lines of Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, published in the mid 1380s, for example:[1][2]
So graunte hem sone out of this world to pace (So grant him soon out of this world to pass);
"So" as a sentence opener has been used in later historical literary works such as:[1]
- The Rape of Lucrece, 1594, by William Shakespeare
- Pamela: or, Virtue Rewarded, 1740, by Samuel Richardson
It is widely believed that the recent ascendancy of “so” as a sentence opener began in Silicon Valley. Michael Lewis, in his book The New New Thing, published in 1999, noted that “When a computer programmer answers a question, he often begins with the word ‘so.’ ” Microsoft employees have long argued that the “so” boom began with them.[1][2][3]
Purpose
Various suggestions have been made as to its purpose:
- as a coordinating conjunctive to refer backwards to something previously mentioned
- as a discourse marker[4][5]
- to signal that the following words are chosen for their relevance to the listener[6]
- to provide a small amount of extra thinking time[7]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 So, When Did We Start Introducing Sentences with So? Today I Found Out 23 Sep 2015
- 1 2 Follow My Logic? A Connective Word Takes the Lead The New York Times Anand Giridharadasmay 21, 2010
- ↑ Origins of using "so" as a sentence opener Boing Boing Mark Frauenfelder 17 Jun 2010
- ↑ So… why is everyone saying “so?" USA Today Haley Goldberg 14 Feb 2014
- ↑ Galina B. Bolden Implementing incipient actions: The discourse marker ‘so’ in English conversation Journal of Pragmatics Vol 41 Issue 5 May 2009, P974–998
- ↑ Do you use “so” to manage conversations? Dictionary.com
- ↑ It’s so annoying. So why do people feel compelled to start every sentence with ‘so’? The Spectator Mark Mason 5 Nov 2011
Further reading
- So does starting a sentence with 'so' annoy you? BBC 21 Nov 2011
- So, here's a carefully packaged sentence that shows me in my best light The Guardian Oliver James 26 Jul 2013
- So, here's why it's OK to start a sentence with 'So' Today Meghan Holohan 15 May 2014
- So It Turns Out That Everyone’s Starting Sentences With ‘So’ The Chronicle of Higher Education Ben Yagoda 2 Dec 2011
- So, What's The Big Deal With Starting A Sentence With 'So'? NPR Geoff Nunberg 3 Sep 2015
- So, Why Start Sentences With 'So?' KMUW Lael Ewy Oct 21, 2014
- So Here's Why Everyone Is Starting Sentences With The Word 'So' Business Insider Christina Sterbenz 12 May 2014
- SO wrong! Why John Humphrys is in a rage at such a little word after it invades everyday speech Daily Mail Sam Creighton 20 Jun 2015
External links
- The "so" panel on "Global with Jon Sopel" BBC World News 22 May 2014
- Q&A: Why do I always begin my sentences with 'So'?