Which one gives more emphasis very or so

Answer 1

Nate is formally correct, but sometimes you have to think about what you’re writing, and how your audience will take it. Use of so for emphasis is fairly recent, as in “I so want to go to that party.” I think if we read in a young adult novel a student texting to another, “I very much want to go to that party,,” we’d shut the book and say the writer doesn’t know what they’re doing.

That is to say, in part, that so and very aren’t directly comparable. They’re used in different ways by different groups, and both should be used with care in formal writing.

Answer 2

I'd say it depends on the generation of the writer and the purpose of the writing. Very is normally used for emphasis but oftentimes younger writers will use so instead, especially in informal writing. In academic writing, I'd encourage the writer to use details instead of either very or so. Neither word tells the reader much in either creative or academic writing.

Answer 3

The word very is used for emphasis. An example of very in a sentence:

That was a very good meal.

The use of the word very in the sentence above helps show that the meal was not just good, but especially good.

Many English teachers and writers warn that it is not good to overuse the word very, because it simply shows emphasis but does not add any description. An example of editing out the overuse of very:

The soup here is very good, and the view of the bay is very beautiful.

The soup here is rich and redolent of warm spices, and the view of the bay is breathtaking.

In formal contexts, you are only supposed to use the word so as emphasis if you follow it with that in the so ... that word pair:

She was so tired of oatmeal that she threw the bowl out the window.

The word so indicates that you want to emphasize the adjective, but it is only acceptable if it is followed by that, which will follow up with a result. More examples:

The table was so polished and perfectly maintained that I thought it was brand new.

By the time you are done training, you will be so prepared that nothing will surprise you.

In everyday conversation, but not in formal writing, people, especially children, use the word so for emphasis only:

Can we stop for a sandwich? I am so hungry.

Everything about her dress was just so shiny!

I hope this answers your question!

Thanks,

Nate