English Help Online's Blog

Today I have another useful expression for you: “so be it”.  It is usually used with the word “if” and is used to indicate that there’s nothing we can do about a certain situation, so we won’t worry about it. For example:

If Jerry doesn’t want to come with us to the party, so be it.

I don’t want my roommate to move out, but if she wants to leave, then so be it.

If Gloria wants to quit her job as my secretary, so be it. I can find someone else to replace her.

A: Peter wants to become an actor!

B: Well, so be it. There’s nothing we can do to stop him.

We can use the word “then” with “so be it” as in the second example, but it’s not necessary. Either way is fine.