so it counts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so it counts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is valid or significant in a particular context. Example: "I completed the task, so it counts towards my final grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Sam wrote in to say "here's one from a Japanese T-shirt — probably more of a crazy word-string than a true sentence, but I'm loopy so it counts: ELECTRIC RESPONSE BEATNIK REBEL BLOOD TRANSLUCENT FUTURE" Beat that, readers.

The New York Times

"They're in our division, so it counts as two.

The New York Times - Sports

Because of tax, you know, so it counts as a liqueur.

The Guardian - Books

— NATE SILVER This presidential election is much closer than the 2008 election, so it counts as unusual whenever there are states where President Obama has the chance to run ahead of his 2008 margins.

The New York Times

The one time a fellow-student tells her about being raped (at knife point, so it counts), Roiphe cringes like a high-school vegetarian dissecting her first frog: "I was startled. . . .

The New Yorker

In today's 15×16, slightly plumped to fit the "seed" entry (the entry that the constructor thought of first, and which inspired the theme) and its partner, we have a choice of four movies, all sort of romantic in their own ways (my favorite, "THE GRADUATE," takes a depressing view of romantic love, but it's in there, so it counts).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

So it counted on people censoring themselves.

The Guardian

But 'eh-bo' for 'elbow' was close enough, so it counted.

Huffington Post

Her first effort was just 36.36m, nearly six metres below her personal best, while her second was so poor she purposely stepped over the line so it counted as foul.

The Guardian - Sport

Video gaming for hours is exhausting, so surely it counts as some sort of workout too, right?

TechCrunch

They really grind my gears, mostly because they are so good when it counts.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so it counts" to casually indicate that something should be taken into consideration or is valid despite potential doubts. It is particularly useful in informal arguments or explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "so it counts" in highly formal or academic writing. It can sound too informal. Opt for more precise and professional language such as "therefore it is significant" or "consequently it is relevant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so it counts" functions as a conjunctional phrase, connecting a cause or condition with its effect or consequence. It indicates that something should be considered valid or significant due to a preceding factor. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so it counts" is a commonly used conjunctional phrase that indicates something should be considered valid or significant in a given context. Ludwig AI states the phrase is grammatically correct. It's prevalent in News & Media and Wiki sources, suggesting a neutral register. While it's acceptable in general communication, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing. The phrase serves to justify or persuade, emphasizing the importance of taking something into account. Ludwig examples illustrate its versatility and broad applicability in real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

therefore it is valid

Replaces the idiomatic "counts" with a more formal term, "valid", maintaining the core meaning.

thus it is significant

Substitutes "counts" with "significant", emphasizing importance rather than mere inclusion.

consequently it is relevant

Emphasizes the logical connection and importance to the matter at hand.

accordingly it is applicable

Highlights the relevance of something for a specific purpose or situation.

as a result it matters

Focuses on the impact or importance of something, suggesting a consequence.

hence it is of consequence

Similar to 'matters' but uses more formal vocabulary to express importance.

that means it is important

Breaks down the phrase to its fundamental meaning, expressing importance directly.

that implies it is of value

Highlights the inferred worth or benefit of something.

that suggests it is worthwhile

Implies the action or thing is worth the time, effort, or expense.

for that reason it is considerable

Focuses on the idea that the thing should be taken into account due to its importance.

FAQs

What does "so it counts" mean?

The expression "so it counts" means that something is considered valid, important, or relevant in a particular context. It suggests that despite potential doubts or minor issues, something should still be taken into account.

How can I use "so it counts" in a sentence?

You can use "so it counts" to indicate that something is valid or significant even if it's not perfect or ideal. For example: "He might not have finished the entire project, but he completed the most important parts, "so it counts"."

Which is a more formal way to say "so it counts"?

More formal alternatives to "so it counts" include "therefore it is valid", "thus it is significant", or "consequently it is relevant". These options are more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "so it counts" and "when it counts"?

"So it counts" means that something is valid or should be taken into consideration, while "when it counts" refers to a crucial or decisive moment. They are used in different contexts and have distinct meanings.