“So” is a lovely word that can be used properly in many ways: I love you so much! I’ll see you at 10:00 or so. I’ll go to bed early so (that) I can get up early tomorrow. However, the word “so” has come to be used as an oral punctuation mark, an oral period at the end of a sentence: “We got back from our trip to the Bahamas last night and it was very hard to get back in our routine this morning, so…” Whatever the sentence, when it ends with “so” I want to scream “So WHAT?” Using that word at the end of the sentence implies that the speaker isn’t finished, it begs the listener not to tune out yet, there’s going to be more. It was hard to get back in the routine so that’s why you’re late today? So that’s why you want me to take over your duties this morning? So you want to tell me about your vacation? WHAT? “So” isn’t the only oral punctuation mark; the word “or” functions as a question mark at the end of a sentence: “Did you want to ride with me, or?” Or WHAT? Or ride with someone else? Or take my own car? Or stay home? If you’re giving me a choice here, then by all means tell me the choices. When these words are used as punctuation, it constitutes very sloppy English and it is becoming rampant in our society, driving me (and other English connoisseurs) crazy…so
Please don’t use those lovely words that horrid way!
(Hah! You thought I was going to do it!)
