too / enough / so / such
A2 31 / 50
In short
Use too for “more than you want” (a problem), enough for “the right amount” (okay), and so / such to make an adjective or noun stronger. Remember: too is not the same as very.
The rule
too = more than is necessary or wanted. It always sounds like a problem.
- too + adjective/adverb: It’s too hot. / You drive too fast.
- too much + uncountable noun: too much salt, too much noise
- too many + countable noun: too many people, too many emails
enough = as much as you need (neutral or positive).
- adjective/adverb + enough (enough comes AFTER): old enough, fast enough, good enough
- enough + noun (enough comes BEFORE): enough money, enough time, enough chairs
too / (not) enough + to-infinitive to give a result:
- too tired to walk (= I can’t walk, it’s too much)
- old enough to drive (= old enough, that’s fine)
- not warm enough to swim (= not enough warmth)
When the doer is someone else, name them with for before the to: too heavy for my sister to lift / not warm enough for the children to swim.
so + adjective/adverb makes it stronger: so tired, so quickly. such + (a/an) + (adjective) + noun does the same with a noun: such a long day, such nice people. Both often add a that-clause to show the result: so tired that I slept / such a good film that I saw it twice.
too vs very: very good = just strong (positive). too good = a problem. Don’t say “The film was too good, I loved it” - use very.
Forms & patterns
| Pattern | Used with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| too + adj/adv | adjective, adverb | This bag is too heavy. |
| too much + noun | uncountable | We have too much work. |
| too many + noun | countable plural | There are too many cars. |
| adj/adv + enough | adjective, adverb | She isn’t tall enough. |
| enough + noun | any noun | Do we have enough bread? |
| too … to + verb | result (negative) | It’s too late to call him. |
| (not) … enough to + verb | result | He’s strong enough to lift it. |
| too/enough + for + person + to + verb | result with a different doer | It was too noisy for us to talk. |
| so + adj/adv (+ that) | adjective, adverb | It was so cold (that) we left. |
| such (+ a/an) (+ adj) + noun (+ that) | noun phrase | It was such a good idea. |
Examples
| English | Note |
|---|---|
| This coffee is too hot to drink. | too + adj + to: the heat is a problem |
| He spoke too quickly for me. | too + adverb: more than I could follow |
| You eat too much sugar. | too much + uncountable noun |
| There were too many people on the bus. | too many + countable plural |
| Is she old enough to vote? | adjective + enough (after the adjective) |
| We don’t have enough chairs for everyone. | enough + noun (before the noun) |
| The test was so easy that I finished early. | so + adjective + that-result |
| It was such a long film that I fell asleep. | such + a + adjective + noun + that-result |
Common mistakes
- I have too many homework. -> I have too much homework. - homework is uncountable, so use too much.
- She is enough old to drive. -> She is old enough to drive. - enough goes AFTER an adjective.
- He is too tired for walk. -> He is too tired to walk. - the result verb takes to, never for + a bare verb; for comes earlier, naming the person who does it (too tired for me to walk).
- It was a so nice day. -> It was such a nice day. - before a noun use such (a), not so.
- The hotel was too good, we loved it. -> The hotel was very good, we loved it. - too means a problem; for a positive idea use very.
Tips
- Quick test: if it’s a complaint or problem, use too; if it’s fine/positive, use enough or very.
- Word order hook: adjective + enough but enough + noun (good enough vs enough food).
- so + adjective alone (so nice); such + a noun group (such a nice place). If there’s a noun, reach for such.
- After too much / too many, check the noun: uncountable -> much, countable plural -> many (see lesson 21).