Too and Enough
'Too' means more than is wanted or needed and goes before an adjective; 'enough' means the right amount and goes after an adjective but before a noun.
Level A2
Adjectives & Adverbs
Summary
- 'Too' means more than is wanted or needed and goes before an adjective; 'enough' means the right amount and goes after an adjective but before a noun.
Structure
too + adjective | adjective + enough | enough + noun
Examples
- This coffee is too hot.
- He isn't tall enough to reach the shelf.
- We don't have enough chairs.
- It's too late to call her now.
Common mistakes
- • Placing 'enough' before an adjective, e.g. 'enough tall' instead of 'tall enough'.
- • Using 'too' to mean 'very' in a positive sense, e.g. 'You are too kind' meaning a compliment can confuse learners with the 'excessive' meaning.
Related
More adjectives & adverbs
Comparatives and Superlatives
A2
Use comparatives to compare two things and superlatives to compare three or more. Short adjectives add -er/-est; longer ones use more/most.
Adjective Order
B1
When several adjectives describe one noun, English follows a usual order: opinion, then size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, and purpose. Following this order makes phrases sound natural.
Adverbs of Frequency
A2
Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never) say how often something happens. They normally go before the main verb but after the verb 'be'.
Adverbs of Manner
A2
Adverbs of manner describe how an action is done and usually come after the verb or its object. Many are formed by adding -ly to an adjective.
So and Such
B1
'So' and 'such' add emphasis. 'So' goes before an adjective or adverb on its own, while 'such' goes before a noun phrase, often with an adjective.
As ... As Comparisons
B1
Use 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to say two things are equal. The negative 'not as ... as' shows that one thing is less than the other.