So vs. Who

Attribute	So	Who
Interrogative pronoun	No	Yes
Used to ask about a person	No	Yes
Used to ask about a thing or action	Yes	No
Can be used as a relative pronoun	No	Yes

Introduction

When it comes to the English language, two commonly used words that can sometimes cause confusion are "so" and "who." While they may seem similar at first glance, these two words actually have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the differences between "so" and "who" in terms of their usage, meaning, and grammatical functions.

Usage

The word "so" is often used as an adverb to indicate the extent or degree of something. For example, "I am so tired" or "She is so kind." It can also be used as a conjunction to connect two clauses, as in "I was hungry, so I decided to grab a snack." On the other hand, the word "who" is a pronoun used to refer to a person or people. For example, "Who is that?" or "The person who called earlier left a message."

Meaning

One key difference between "so" and "who" is their meaning. "So" is often used to express a result or consequence, while "who" is used to ask about or refer to a person. For example, "I studied hard, so I passed the exam" or "Who is coming to the party?" The word "so" implies a cause-and-effect relationship, while "who" is simply used to identify a person.

Grammatical Functions

In terms of grammatical functions, "so" is a versatile word that can be used as an adverb, conjunction, or even an interjection. It can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, depending on the context. On the other hand, "who" is a pronoun that is used to replace a noun or noun phrase that refers to a person. It can also be used as a relative pronoun to introduce a relative clause, as in "The man who won the race is my friend."

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between "so" and "who" in context:

• "I am so excited to see you!" (Here, "so" is used as an adverb to express the speaker's level of excitement.)
• "Who is that woman standing over there?" (In this sentence, "who" is used to ask about the identity of a person.)
• "She is the one who always arrives late to meetings." (In this example, "who" is used as a relative pronoun to introduce a clause describing a specific person.)
• "I worked hard, so I deserve a break." (Here, "so" is used as a conjunction to connect two clauses indicating cause and effect.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "so" and "who" may seem similar at first glance, they have distinct attributes in terms of their usage, meaning, and grammatical functions. Understanding the differences between these two words can help improve your overall grasp of the English language and enhance your communication skills. So next time you come across the words "so" and "who," remember their unique characteristics and use them appropriately in your writing and speech.