Meaning & use
so what
Last updated
Meanings
interjectioninformal
Used to say that something does not matter or to challenge a statement, often rudely.
Grammar: Used as a response, often with a questioning intonation.
Patterns
- so what?
- so what if ...
A: 'You're late again.' B: 'So what? It's not a big deal.'
So what if it rains? We can still have fun indoors.
He said he was tired, but so what? We all are.
nounusually singularinformal
The point or significance of something; the 'so what' question asks why it matters.
Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'the so what factor' or 'the so what question'.
Patterns
- the so what factor
- the so what question
The report lacked a clear 'so what' — why should we care?
In business writing, always answer the 'so what' for your reader.
Common combinations
- so what?
- So what? I don't care what they think.
- so what if
- So what if you made a mistake? Everyone does.
- the so what factor
- The presentation had a strong so what factor.
Synonyms and how they differ
- who cares
- Similar dismissive meaning, but 'who cares' focuses on other people's lack of interest, while 'so what' challenges the importance of the topic.
- big deal
- Used sarcastically to mean something is not important; 'so what' is more direct.
Commonly confused: so what or what so?
so what vs what so
Not a standard phrase; 'so what' is the correct order for the dismissive question.
Practice
Which response shows that you think something is unimportant?
Choose one answer.
'So what?' challenges the importance of something. 'So be it' means you accept something reluctantly, and 'so long' is a farewell.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “so what”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.