B1 Intermediate too/enough, so/such, contrast
too and enough
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can use too and enough correctly, especially the position of enough.
When to use it
- Saying something is excessive: The coffee is too hot to drink.
- Saying something is sufficient: He is old enough to drive.
- Saying there is enough quantity: We don't have enough chairs.
Form
| Structure | Position | Example |
|---|---|---|
| too + adjective / adverb | too comes before | too hot · too quickly |
| adjective / adverb + enough | enough comes after | old enough · well enough |
| enough + noun | enough comes before | enough money · enough time |
| + to + verb | both are possible | too hot to drink · old enough to drive |
Step by step
- Ask: do you mean excessive or sufficient?
- Excessive → too, placed before the adjective.
- Sufficient → enough: after an adjective, but before a noun.
- To say what for, add to + verb at the end.
too and very are different
| Sentence | Feeling |
|---|---|
| The tea is very hot. | normal, still drinkable |
| The tea is too hot. | not drinkable |
| He is very young. | comment |
| He is too young. | so he/she does not qualify |
Examples
This coffee is too hot to drink.
He isn't old enough to drive.
We don't have enough chairs for everyone.
She speaks English well enough to work abroad.
The box was too heavy for me to carry.
Is your room big enough?
Common mistakes
He isn't enough old to vote. → He isn't old enough to vote.
enough goes after an adjective. This is the most common position error, since Vietnamese puts its word first.
I'm too tired, so I will sleep well. → I'm very tired, so I will sleep well.
too is always negative — excessive, so something cannot happen. For a neutral or positive sense use very.
We have enough not money. → We don't have enough money.
The negative goes on the verb, not between enough and the noun.
Memory tip
Remember one line: enough follows an adjective but precedes a noun. Say strong enough and enough money aloud a few times and your hand will get it right.
Summary
- too + adjective = excessive, implying something is impossible.
- adjective + enough = sufficient; but enough + noun.
- Both continue with to + verb.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.