it so charming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it so charming" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express admiration or affection, but it requires additional context or modification to be grammatically correct. Example: "I find it so charming when you smile."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That's why I find it so charming that he constructed a puzzle for those of us who are still working on learning our ABC's.

The New York Times

What is it then about the internet startup industry that makes it so charming?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This moment should carry a massive emotional punch, but it is so charming that it slips into a purely literary convention.

The Guardian - Books

"It needed a lot of work but it was so charming," Ms. Morgan recalled.

The New York Times

And it's so charming that I think, Why don't people know about it?" Bringing across an artiste like Printemps is a little different from doing a recital of Jenny Lind's music, or Jane Bathori's, to name performers who in recent seasons received homages from Barbara Bonney and Dawn Upshaw.

The New York Times

I saw this at film school, then watched it again at a festival a couple of years ago and thought it was so charming, so good.

The Guardian - Film

It was so charming".

The New York Times

Granita: It's so charming that he uses paper plates.

The New Yorker

"It was so charming I took out my checkbook immediately and made a deposit".

The New York Times

I had heard of "GERTIE the Dinosaur," the "pioneering cartoon short" by animator Winsor McKay, but had no idea it was so charming.

The New York Times

"I gave up my job two years ago to teach the forró, because it's so charming and like being part of a family," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use a complete sentence with a subject and verb to express your thoughts clearly. Instead of saying "it so charming", say "it is so charming" or "that is so charming."

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the verb "to be" (is, are, was, were) in informal speech. While this might be acceptable in very casual conversation, it's important to include the verb in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it so charming" functions as a descriptive expression, aiming to convey a positive attribute. While grammatically incorrect, the intended function is to express that something possesses a quality of being charming. However, as highlighted by Ludwig, it requires grammatical correction for formal usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it so charming" is grammatically incorrect in standard written English. While the intention is to express admiration, it requires the addition of the verb "to be" to be grammatically sound, as Ludwig confirms. The phrase appears rarely and primarily in News & Media contexts. To ensure clarity and correctness, it's best to use alternatives such as "it is so charming" or "that's so charming" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is so charming

Adds the necessary auxiliary verb 'is' to make the sentence grammatically correct.

that's so charming

Uses a contraction to express 'that is so charming', providing a more natural and concise feel.

it's incredibly charming

Replaces 'so' with 'incredibly' to intensify the charm and maintain grammatical correctness.

it's really charming

Substitutes 'so' with 'really', offering a slightly less intense but still positive affirmation.

it's quite charming

Replaces 'so' with 'quite', indicating a moderate level of charm.

it has a lot of charm

Shifts the focus to the amount of charm something possesses, rather than directly stating it is charming.

it's full of charm

Emphasizes the abundance of charm, suggesting a rich and delightful quality.

it's delightful

Uses a different adjective, 'delightful', to convey a similar sense of pleasure and appeal.

it's captivating

Employs 'captivating' to suggest a more enthralling and attention-grabbing charm.

it possesses great charm

Formalizes the expression by using 'possesses great charm', indicating a notable and inherent quality.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "it so charming" in a sentence?

The phrase "it so charming" is grammatically incorrect. To use it correctly, you need to add the verb "to be", such as in "it is so charming" or "that's so charming".

What phrases can I use instead of "it so charming"?

You can use alternatives like "it is so charming", "that's so charming", or "it's delightful" to express a similar sentiment with correct grammar.

Is it acceptable to say "it so charming" in spoken English?

While "it so charming" might be understood in very informal conversation, it is not grammatically correct and should be avoided in formal settings. Stick to "it is so charming" for clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "it so charming" and "it is so charming"?

"It so charming" is a grammatically incomplete phrase. Adding "is" creates a full sentence: "it is so charming", which is grammatically correct and expresses that something possesses charm.