Too and Enough

Too and Enough

Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. We will talk about the use of too and enough.

How to use “too”

We use “too” before adjectives or adverbs to say that there is more of something than we want.  

• That hat is too big for you. You should take a smaller one.
• There is too much salt in the soup.
• Simon drove too fast.
• Tara was too tired to read.

Too much and too many

We use too much with uncountable nouns to say that there is more of something than we want or more than is good.

• You shouldn’t eat too much chocolate if you want to lose weight.
• Nick spent too much money on his new car.
• There’s been too much rain this week.

Use too many with countable nouns

• The road was blocked with too many cars.
• It’s hard to work here because of too many distractions.
• You’ve made too many mistakes in your essay.

Patterns with “too”:

Too … for (someone/something)

• This dress is too big for you.
• This car is too small for the family. They need a bigger one.

Too … to-infinitive

• The children were too tired to play.
• Sandra is usually too busy to listen.

Too  …. for ….to-infinitive 

• This dish is too spicy for me to eat it.
• Diana speaks Spanish too fast for me to understand.

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How to use “enough”

If we have enough of something, then we have as much as we need or is necessary.

We can use “enough” with a noun.

• Are there enough plates for all the guests?
• We have enough money to go on holiday.
• Make the mixture with enough milk.

We can use “enough” without a noun.

• We have three chairs, which is not enough.
• I can’t eat any more, I’ve had enough.
• Martha didn’t have too many clothes, but she had enough.

Remember to use “enough” before a noun 

• They had enough food for the picnic.
• When they collected enough information, the police started an investigation.
• I didn’t have enough sleep last night.

but after an adjective or adverb.

• Paul is not old enough to drive.
• Do you think you’re slim enough to wear this dress?
• Mary speaks Italian well enough to get by in Italy.

Patterns with “enough”:

Enough … for (someone or something)

• Bob had enough time for a coffee.
• Is the tea sweet enough for you?

Enough … to-infinitive

• It wasn’t warm enough to go camping.
• Brian was strong enough to lift the heavy bag.

Enough  … for … to-infinitive 

• There wasn’t enough room for everyone to sit at the table.
• I will never thank you enough for your effort to teach me French.

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