If you meet new people, your first response would probably be to compliment them. Maybe say something along the lines of ‘you’re beautiful.’ Some people may reply with the phrase, ‘so are you.’ While it may seem common sense, what does it exactly mean?
What Does ‘So Are You’ Mean?
‘So are you’ is another way of saying ‘you too.’ People usually use this to respond to a compliment, expressing that the speaker feels the same for the person who first gave the praise. While interpretation may vary depending on the context, generally, it means ‘you too.’
The phrase comes in different forms, depending on the verb tense of the original compliment. We use ‘so are you’ if the praise is in the present tense, like ‘you are beautiful’ or ‘you are handsome.’ If using ‘have,’ like ‘you have pretty hands’ or ‘you have a nice shirt,’ we use ‘so do you.’ We may also use ‘so were you’ or ‘so did you’ if what we’re responding to is in the past tense, like ‘you used to be enthusiastic.’
The previous example also shows that we don’t necessarily use ‘so are you’ to respond to compliments only. We use it in any context or situation wherein we feel a similarity between you and the other speaker. It is a way of saying that you are going through the same thing or have the same traits or characteristics.
Sometimes, it can also be in question form. In question form, there is a comma after ‘so.’ It implies a question that asks for a particular similarity between you and another party. An example would be ‘Mary is going to the party, too. So, are you?’ The sentence asks if you, too, like Mary, are going to the party.
Examples Of How To Use ‘So Are You’ In A Sentence
Since we use ‘so are you’ to respond to a previously existing statement, we rarely present it as an independent sentence or thought. Instead, we express its usage, given a particular context or ongoing conversation. There also needs to be a context when we use it in everyday conversations.
So, below are examples of situations or sentences where ‘so are you’ is applicable.
- I still don’t know how you look better as days pass by, but you are even more beautiful today, Sam.
- That’s flattering, Anne. So are you. You’re always more stunning.
- I’m always grateful to you. You are such a great friend.
- So are you, Brian. I treasure you more than anyone or anything else.
- You suck at your job, and you never do anything right! You’re useless!
- So are you! You only get mad, but you never tell us how to improve or what we should be doing!
- Thank you for always responding to our needs and attending to us. You are a great leader, Stacy.
- So are you, Gina. You might not have an official position, but I saw your leadership skills shine through.
- For the past six years that we’ve been friends, you never actually treated me as a one! You’re a selfish friend!
- So are you! You only come to me when you need me, but you’re always gone when I’m the one needing someone!
Is It Correct To Say ‘So Are You?’
Yes, it is correct to say ‘so are you.’ The phrase is grammatically correct, and it does not violate any grammar rules of the English language. Though others consider it informal while others accept it’s formal, it is generally more accepted in daily and casual conversations.
Despite questions in its formality, it is still correct to say ‘so are you,’ and we accept it, especially in informal and casual conversations or interactions.
Is It ‘So Are You’ Or ‘So You Are?’
Given the context of responding to someone, ‘so are you’ is the correct phrase. However, contrary to expectation, according to the Google Ngram Viewer, ‘so you are’ is used more often than ‘so are you.’ It is probably because of the possibly different contexts of the two phrases.
While we use ‘so are you’ mainly to respond to what someone else has previously said, we may use ‘so you are’ as a way of questioning. ‘So, you are?’ is a question that asks who the other person is. In that context, ‘so, you are?’ may be used more often than ‘so are you.’
‘So Are You’ – Synonyms
Below are words and phrases that are synonymous with ‘so are you.’
- You too
- Likewise
- Same to you
- Back at you
- That applies to you as well
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Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
