"I love you so" vs "I love you so much"

[SiCantikManis]

Hi,

Why do people sometimes put "so" here? I have always assumed it was a contraction of "so much".

Thanks,
Cantik
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Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous.

[MrPedantic]

Hello Cantik,

I would call it an intensifier, in that context.

Best wishes,

MrP

[SiCantikManis]

Thank you, MrP. So I was partly correct, in my assumption. :)
_________________
Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous.

[MrPedantic]

Yes, I think so; it implies "to such an extent!", "so much!".

All the best,

MrP

[Benjamin]

Hi Cantik,

Yes I agree with the above so there's not much to say. However I would add that I think it is quite an old fashioned saying and possibly not used in spoken English that often anymore (to add "so")

[Haihao]

Or a little poetic? (to add "so")

[SiCantikManis]

I thought about that too, Haihao. I think it's a little bit of the both.
_________________
Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous.

[MrPedantic]

[Molly]

[Haihao]

very much so = that's right, and very much (I love you).

[SiCantikManis]

I agree.
_________________
Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous.

[Molly]

[Haihao]

very much so = very much I love you -> so = the fact (I love you)

I love you so = I love you so much -> intensifier, like in 'I am so glad to see you'.