so slow that

USAGE SUMMARY

'so slow that' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is happening at a very slow pace or is taking a long time to occur. Example: "The internet connection in the rural area was so slow that it took hours to load a simple webpage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

At one stage, the nanoparticles growth becomes so slow that UV-induced decay overcomes the growth, and overall effect remains decay only.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The beats are so slow that they tense up rather than deflating.

The New Yorker

Yet Lords reform is so slow that a leap in the right direction is welcome.

The Economist

In those days, the tape was so slow that you could follow it.

The New Yorker

"You have to understand, the club was so slow that night," Kramer explained.

The New Yorker

Slowly, slowly it emerged – so slow that Reddan's kick was charged down.

The Guardian - Sport

The movie is so slow that at times it seems to be going backwards.

The Guardian - Film

"I'm so slow that why would you give me a contract?

The New York Times - Books

"There has been progress, but it's so slow that sometimes one becomes pessimistic," he said.

The New York Times

The pace was so slow that day and it was falsely-run race.

The Guardian - Sport

The process was unwieldy, unreliable and so slow that ships often spent longer docked than they did at sea.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so slow that", ensure that the consequence following "that" logically results from the extreme slowness described. This maintains clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "so slow that" when the result isn't significant or doesn't logically follow from the slowness. For example, saying "The car was so slow that it needed new tires" doesn't make sense. Instead, ensure the consequence is directly and significantly linked to the extreme slowness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so slow that" functions as an intensifier followed by a consequence clause. It highlights the degree of slowness and introduces the result of that slowness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "so slow that" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to emphasize extreme slowness and its direct consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found across various contexts, from news reporting to scientific research, demonstrating its widespread applicability. When using "so slow that", ensure that the result described is a logical and significant outcome of the slowness, maintaining clarity and impact. Avoid weaker, less relevant consequences for a more effective statement. By understanding its function and proper context, you can effectively use "so slow that" to convey a sense of extreme delay and its resulting effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so gradual that

Replaces "slow" with "gradual", emphasizing the imperceptible nature of the pace.

at such a snail's pace that

Uses a simile to highlight extreme slowness.

so unhurried that

Emphasizes the lack of urgency or speed.

proceeds at a crawl that

Figurative language emphasizing very slow progress.

moves with such sluggishness that

Focuses on the lack of energy or dynamism in movement.

so lethargic that

Replaces 'slow' with 'lethargic', which means affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic.

with glacial slowness that

Uses 'glacial' to indicate an extremely slow pace, drawing a comparison to glaciers.

dawdles to such an extent that

Emphasizes the leisurely and time-wasting aspect of the slowness.

is taking such a long time that

Focuses on the extended duration of the process.

so delayed that

Highlights the lateness and postponement caused by the slowness.

FAQs

How can I use "so slow that" in a sentence?

Use "so slow that" to describe something progressing at an extremely slow pace, followed by a consequence of that slowness. For example, "The download was "so slow that" I couldn't finish it before leaving."

What are some alternatives to "so slow that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "so gradual that", "at such a snail's pace that", or "so unhurried that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "so slow that" and "too slow that"?

"So slow that" describes the degree of slowness and its consequence. "Too slow that" isn't standard; use "too slow to" instead to describe inadequacy for a purpose. For example, "The car was too slow to win the race" is correct; "The car was "so slow that" it couldn't win the race" is also correct and means something similar.

When is it appropriate to use "so slow that" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the extent of slowness and connect it directly to a resulting situation. Ensure the connection between the slowness and the consequence is clear and logical. If the consequence is missing, you can simply say: "It was "very slow"".