Too and Enough
A2 · ElementaryAdverbsToo and enough both talk about amount or degree, but they point in opposite directions — and enough has a word order rule that trips a lot of learners up.
What you'll learn
- Too + adjective/adverb: more than wanted or possible — a problem (too hot, too fast)
- Adjective/adverb + enough: the necessary or sufficient amount (old enough, fast enough)
- Enough + noun: enough comes BEFORE a noun (enough time, enough money)
- Both often combine with a to-infinitive: too tired to walk, strong enough to lift it
too vs. enough: opposite directions
Too means 'more than is wanted, needed, or possible' — it signals a problem. Enough means 'as much as is needed' — it signals that something is sufficient. They often appear in similar sentences but say opposite things about the situation.
Word order: enough after adjectives, before nouns
With an adjective or adverb, enough comes AFTER it: old enough, fast enough, well enough. This is different from most other degree words (very old, extremely fast), which come before. With a noun, enough comes BEFORE it, like other quantity words: enough time, enough money, enough chairs.
too vs. very — not the same thing
Very simply shows a high degree, with no implication of a problem. Too always implies a negative result or an obstacle: something doesn't work because of the excess. 'This tea is very hot' is just a description; 'this tea is too hot' means you can't drink it yet.
Real English
Watch out
With an adjective, enough goes AFTER it, unlike most other degree words.
With a noun, enough goes BEFORE it, like other quantity words (some, a lot of).
Too signals a problem or excess. For plain enthusiasm with no negative result, use very/really, not too.
Real life — Deciding whether to go out
"Do you want to go for a walk?"
"It's a bit too cold for me right now."
"Really? I think it's warm enough with a jacket."
"Maybe later, once the sun's out enough to warm things up."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct word
This coffee is ___ hot to drink right now.
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct order
Which word order is correct?
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct order
Which word order is correct?
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct word
This box is ___ heavy for me to lift alone.
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct word
This box is ___ heavy, but I can still lift it.
Exercise 6 · Fix the mistake
Fix the mistake:
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct meaning
Which sentence means the shirt cannot be bought (excess problem)?
Exercise 8 · Complete the sentence
Complete: It's ___ late to call him now — he'll be asleep. (means 'more than is okay')
Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence
Complete: Is there ___ food for everyone? (means 'the necessary amount')
Exercise 10 · Build the sentence
Exercise 11 · Choose the correct sentence
Which is correct?
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
This soup is ___ salty — I can't eat it.
You learned
- Too + adjective/adverb = more than wanted or possible (a problem).
- Adjective/adverb + enough = sufficient (enough comes after).
- Enough + noun = sufficient (enough comes before the noun here).
- Too always implies a problem; very is just a plain high degree.
Related grammar lessons
Since vs For
Learn the simple test for choosing 'since' or 'for' with the present perfect: 'since' takes a point in time when something started, 'for' takes a duration of time.
So vs. Such
Learn when to use so (before a bare adjective or adverb) and such (before a noun, with or without other adjectives) to add emphasis.
A vs An
Learn the real rule for choosing 'a' or 'an': it depends on the SOUND at the start of the next word, not the letter — an hour, a university.
Present Simple vs Present Continuous
Learn when to use the present simple (habits, facts, permanent situations) versus the present continuous (actions happening now or around now) — and which verbs avoid the continuous form entirely.