There were so many children you could hardly get in the room.
8.60 When the verb in the main clause is be or when an auxiliary is used, the normal order of words is often changed for greater emphasis. So is put at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the adjective, adverb, or noun. Be or the auxiliary is placed in front of the subject.
For example, instead of saying The room was so tiny that you could not get a bed into it, you can say So tiny was the room that you could not get a bed into it.
So successful have they been that they are moving to Bond Street.
So rapid is the rate of progress that advance seems to be following advance on almost a monthly basis.
8.61 Such and that are also used to say that a result happens because something has a quality to a particular extent. You put such in front of a noun, and then add a that-clause.
If the noun is a singular countable noun, you put a or an in front of it.
I slapped her hand and she got such a shock that she dropped the bag.
She was in such pain that she almost collapsed.
These birds have such small wings that they cannot get into the air.
8.62 Such is sometimes used in a similar structure as an adjective with the meaning so great. The that-clause goes immediately after it.
The extent of the disaster was such that the local authorities were quite unable to cope.
Sometimes such is put at the beginning of a sentence, followed by be, a noun phrase, and the that-clause. For example, instead of saying Her beauty was such that they could only stare, you can say Such was her beauty that they could only stare.
Such is the power of suggestion that within a very few minutes she fell asleep.
8.63 You can also use such as an adjective to say that a result is obtained by something being of a particular kind. Such is followed by a that-clause or by as and a to-infinitive clause.
The dangers are such that an organized tour is a more sensible option.
Conditions in prison should be such as to lessen the chances of prisoners reoffending.
You can use the expression in such a way to say that a result is obtained by something being done in a particular way. It is followed by a that-clause or by as and a to-infinitive clause.
She had been taught to behave in such a way that her parents would have as quiet a life as possible.
Is it right that this high tax should be spent in such a way as to give benefit mainly to the motorist?
8.64 You use otherwise, else, or or else to say that a result of something not happening or not being the case would be that something else would happen or be the case.
For example, Give me back my money, otherwise I’ll ring the police means If you don’t give me back my money, I’ll ring the police.
I want a house I’ll like, otherwise I’ll get depressed.
I must have done something wrong, or else they wouldn’t have kept me here.
Concessive clauses: I love books, although I don’t read much
8.65 Sometimes you want to make two statements, one of which contrasts with the other or makes it seem surprising. You can put both statements into one sentence by using a concessive clause.
Here is a list of conjunctions used in concessive clauses:
although
despite
even if
even though
except that
in spite of
much as
not that
though
whereas
while
whilst
contrast
8.66 If you simply want to contrast two statements, you use although, though, even though, or while.
I used to read a lot although I don’t get much time for books now.
Though he has lived for years in London, he writes in German.
I used to love listening to her, even though I couldn’t understand what she said.
While I did well in class, I was a poor performer at games.
The fairly formal words whilst and whereas can also be used.
Raspberries have a hairy surface whilst blackberries have a shiny skin.
To every child, adult approval means love, whereas disapproval can cause strong feelings of rejection.
8.67 If you want to say that something which is probably true does not affect the truth of something else, you use even if.
All this is part of modern commercial life (even if it is an essential activity).
He’s beginning to be a different person, even if he doesn’t realize it.
Even if is also used in conditional clauses. This use is explained in paragraph 8.39.
8.68 You can use not that instead of using although and a negative. For example, instead of saying I have decided to leave, although no one will miss me, you can say I have decided to leave, not that anyone will miss me.
Clauses beginning with not that always go after a main clause.
He’s got a new girlfriend, not that I care.
I think I looked very chic for the party, not that anyone noticed.
exceptions
8.69 If you want to mention an exception to a statement that you have just made, you use except that.
She treats her daughter the same as her younger boy except that she takes her several times a week to a special clinic.
Nobody said a thing except that one or two asked me if I was better.
This kind of clause is sometimes called an exception clause.
8.70 When a clause beginning with though ends with a linking verb like be or seem and a noun or an adjective (= a complement), the complement can be brought forward to the beginning of the clause. For example, instead of saying Though he was tired, he insisted on coming to the meeting, you can say Tired though he was, he insisted on coming to the meeting.